LATimes Recoils As Dems Demonize Wal-Mart

In a Los Angeles Times editorial today, the Democrats are soundly criticized for their attacks on Wal-Mart.

Too bad the party can't simply draft Costco or Target to run for president. Instead, Democratic presidential aspirants -- including Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. of Delaware, Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana, former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina and Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico -- feel compelled to bash one company, the largest employer in the U.S., to score points with labor organizers. The candidates are so intent on gaining tactical advantage in the primary season that they risk alienating possible supporters in the general election.

The key point is that the Democrats are risking alienating voters in the general election by bending over for the unions in the primary. A questionable strategy, I'd say. What are they going to do after the primary? I'd guess a few mea culpas would be in order to try and get back some supporters. In other words, a flip-flop. "I was against Wal-Mart before I was for Wal-Mart" has a true John Kerry ring to it. To refresh memories, Kerry lost.

However, a quite surprising aspect of the editorial is that it comes from the LATimes, typically a liberal, 'Democrats can do no wrong' rag. An editor will probably get fired for letting some common sense words get published. Mark the date. I'm sure it's a fluke.