This article had nothing to do with Wal-Mart.  This is based on the general political issue of whether Free Trade is good for the economy or not. 

This was all started from the many practicing Economists who started re-evaluating the effects of globalization and the cost/benefits of comparative advantage that have again been put in debate.  (But it always is)

Many Americans feel that the Republican platform of free trade is failing America so of course the politicians trying to get into office start to change their views... 

Wal-Mart however has got a lot more challenges to face than just an attack on free-trade, like employee benefits, wages, and environmental management.

However, management is cleaning up and after years of Wal-Mart bashing by filmmakers, critics, politicians and the people alike, Wal-Mart is changing their ways, and hopefully, especially with moves toward Natural Capitalism, will have a profound effect on our economy and the rest of the world. 

The new poll asked a broader but similar question. It posed two statements to voters. The first was, "Foreign trade has been good for the U.S. economy, because demand for U.S. products abroad has resulted in economic growth and jobs for Americans here at home and provided more choices for consumers."

The second was, "Foreign trade has been bad for the U.S. economy, because imports from abroad have reduced demand for American-made goods, cost jobs here at home, and produced potentially unsafe products.

Asked which statement came closer to their own view, 59% of Republicans named the second statement, while 32% pointed to the first.