"...after I pass, you little people may proceed to enqueue for your allocated Playstations..."
Posted on 11/16/2006 9:19:05 PM PST by woofie
Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards acknowledged Thursday that amid his criticism of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., a volunteer member of his staff asked the world's largest retailer for help obtaining a hot new Sony Playstation 3 for Edwards' family.
Edwards, a potential 2008 presidential candidate, told The Associated Press that the volunteer "feels terrible" about seeking the game unit at Wal-Mart while his boss claims the retailer doesn't treat its employees fairly.
"My wife, Elizabeth, wanted to get a Playstation3 for my young children. She mentioned it in front of one of my staff people. That staff person mentioned it in front of a volunteer who said he would make an effort to get one. He was making an effort to go get one for himself," Edwards said.
"Elizabeth and I knew nothing about this. He feels terrible about this. He made a mistake and he knows he should not have used my name," Edwards said.
Wal-Mart had noted in a news release Thursday that on the same day Edwards was criticizing the company in a conference call with union-backed activists, the volunteer staff member had asked a Raleigh, N.C., electronics department manager to obtain a PS3 for the ex-senator's family.
Earlier Thursday, Edwards had said in a statement e-mailed by spokeswoman Kim Rubey: "We instructed no one to contact Wal-Mart on our behalf."
From Wal-Mart headquarters in Bentonville, Ark., company spokesman David Tovar said the Edwards staff member left a voicemail at the Raleigh store and identified himself as an Edwards staff member.
When the manager returned the call, the staff member again identified himself as working for Edwards, and Wal-Mart said it confirmed it with Edwards' office. The retailer issued a written statement Thursday accusing Edwards of not wanting to wait his turn.
"While the rest of America's working families are waiting patiently in line, Sen. Edwards wants to cut to the front," the Wal-Mart statement said.
This summer, Wal-Mart hired Edelman executive Leslie Dach as its public relations director and put him on the company's executive team. Analysts predicted the retailer would likely become more aggressive toward its critics.
Edwards, the Democrats' vice-presidential candidate in 2004, spoke Wednesday to supporters of union-backed WakeUpWalMart.com on a conference call launching the group's holiday season campaign to pressure Wal-Mart for better labor standards.
In the call, he repeated a story about his son Jack disapproving of a classmate buying sneakers at Wal-Mart.
"If a 6-year-old can figure it out, America can definitely figure this out," Edwards said.
Previously, Edwards has appeared at WakeUpWalMart rallies.
Edwards said the volunteer was "a young kid" unaware of what he called flawed Wal-Mart policies. He called the Wal-Mart statement an effort to divert attention from its own problems.
THAT'S how they do it: Elizabeth drops hints to staffers to "get things."
Staffer says,"The Edwards need some things."
Volunteer says, "I'll get some things! At Wal-Mart?"
"If YOU want," winks the Staffer.
That's probably the best post I've read in a long time!
Thanks for the laugh!
CA....
It was just a joke that he was playing on Wal-Mart. Don't misinterpret it.
How does Senator Edwards know that a staffer did not buy Jack's sneakers at Walmart? Apparently, Mrs. Edwards just has to wish for something and one of Sen. Edwards' staff will make it so.
So the little hypocrite (Jack) harangued his classmate even though his shoes may have been bought at Walmart by the helpful staffer elves.
He is learning from a Master hypocrite.
Amen sister, Amen.
Don't forget the racism angle. I'm not sure how to spin it, but the MSM would find a way.
Man! No cajones. No cajones at all.
Oh yea evil Wal-Mart .... can you help me out? What a hypocrite.
Sean Hannity solicited listeners to help him get a PS3.
I got ya blondee123 :)
I read that they ( PS3 ) has already got problems not being able to play some older games, and runs hot like the problems with the XBOX did when it came out.
That is great!! I bow to the master!!!!!
So did Mr. and Mrs. Breckgirl fire the volunteer?
From what I recall, the Edwards' children are still young. What on earth do they need with a 600.00 PS3? Just wait. This whole situation looks like the making of another little Harold Ford or Al Gore, Jr.
DO YOU KNOW WHO MY DADDY IS? DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM!
"I didn't say it before I said it"
Sometimes iverzealous subordinates
do stupid things.
Bersides, does it really make sense that
if Edwards wanted to put the bite on
WalMart...he'd settle for one $600
game system?
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