One of the interesting things about the Schwarzenegger era has been the way that public brands are sponsoring his corporate agenda. Corporations like Target, Dreyer's, Williams-Sonoma have apparently felt no risk in putting their image behind Schwarzenegger. Dreyer's even got paid back with some product placement in a Schwarzenegger tv commercial.
Now, however, as Arnold Schwarzenegger has become less popular than even George Bush in California, those companies are at risk of a backlash, both from voters and aggrieved politicians in the post-Schwarzenegger era.
It may be happening already with Target. One consumer group has launched tv ads criticizing them for their Schwarzen-dollars. John Wildermuth writes about it in the SF Chronicle and describes the ad:
"Target Corporation is one of Arnold Schwarzenegger's biggest special interest donors -- money he's using to promote his agenda against consumers and affordable health care,'' the announcer says.
"Well snap my girdle,'' the elderly shopper answers. "They're using our money against us."
The ad slams Schwarzenegger for taking money from drug companies and vetoing a bill that would have made it easier to bring lower-priced drugs into the state from Canada
It sounds like some righty bloggers are urging their readers to spend MORE at Target -- what can we do?
I saw it here:
http://independentsources.com/2005/08/23/wanted-an-anti-boycott-of-target-that-means-go-there-and-buy-buy-buy/
Posted by: True Blue | August 23, 2005 at 10:39 PM
What can we do? Join the crowd and go buy something at Target. That's what I'm doing.
Posted by: Fred Mangels | August 25, 2005 at 06:46 AM
Target is great. Boycott Whole Foods!
Posted by: Don | August 25, 2005 at 10:08 AM