Wal-Mart, the nation’s largest employer, is planning to launch a voter registration and education campaign this fall targeted at its 1.3 million employees in an effort to combat growing criticism from Democrats and labor unions.

This suprised me somewhat because of how Wal-Mart has typically tried to appease boths sides, as most large corporations do.

The company’s decision appears to be a response to several high-profile Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and four 2008 Democratic presidential hopefuls, who participated in a labor-organized anti-Wal-Mart campaign this summer.

Whether this will have an affect on the national debate remains to be seen. However, Wal-Mart has deep pockets and typically has donated to many campaigns, including Hillary Clinton. If Democrats anger Wal-Mart enough they could take their checkbook elsewhere or start really flexing some financial and subsequently political muscle.

Whether you’re a fan of Wal-Mart or not (I am) you have to acknowledge that depending on how strong this campaign turns out, it certainly could have an impact that would probably be negative for Democrats.

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