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May 29, 2009
Strong Evidence Chrysler Dealer Closings Politically Motivated by Obama
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Furor grows over partisan car dealer closings
By: Mark Tapscott
Evidence appears to be mounting that the Obama administration has systematically targeted for closing Chrysler dealers who contributed to Repubicans.
What started earlier this week as mainly a rumbling on the Right side of the Blogosphere has gathered some steam today with revelations that among the dealers being shut down are a GOP congressman and closing of competitors to a dealership chain partly owned by former Clinton White House chief of staff Mack McLarty.
The basic issue raised here is this: How do we account for the fact millions of dollars were contributed to GOP candidates by Chrysler who are being closed by the government, but only one has been found so far that is being closed that contributed to the Obama campaign in 2008?
Florida Rep. Vern Buchanan learned from a House colleague that his Venice, Florida, dealership is on the hit list. Buchanan also has a Nissan franchise paired with the Chrysler facility in Venice.
"It's an outrage. It's not about me. I'm going to be fine," said Buchanan, the dealership's majority owner. "You're talking over 100,000 jobs. We're supposed to be in the business of creating jobs, not killing jobs," Buchanan told News 10, a local Florida television station.
Buchanan, who succeeded former Rep. Katharine Harris in 2006, reportedly learned of his dealership's termination from Rep.Candace Miller, R-MI. Buchanan owns a total of 23 dealerships in Florida and North Carolina.
Also fueling the controversy is the fact the RLJ-McCarty-Landers chain of Arkansas and Missouri dealerships aren't being closed, but many of their local competitors are being eliminated. Go here for a detailed look at this situation. McClarty is the former Clinton senior aide. The "J" is Robert Johnson, founder of the Black Entertainment Television, a heavy Democratic contributor.
A lawyer representing a group of Chrysler dealers who are on the hit list deposed senior Chrysler executives and later told Reuters that he believes the closings have been forced on the company by the White House.
"It became clear to us that Chrysler does not see the wisdom of terminating 25 percent of its dealers. It really wasn't Chrysler's decision. They are under enormous pressure from the President's automotive task force," said attorney Leonard Bellavia.
Also, see my column on this issue and how it fits into the larger context dubbed by the Examiner's Michael Barone as "gangster government."
As part of Chrysler's bankruptcy agreement with the White House, the company plans to close roughly a quarter of its 3,200 dealerships. Lists of the dealerships being cut and those retaining their Chrysler franchises can be found here in pdf format. Many dealers contend the criteria being used to determine which dealerships survive is not clear and that many of those that are being closed in fact are profitable businesses, despite the current recession.
* Gateway Pundit , Thank you for the tremendous work you have done on this ~ Wild Thing
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Chrysler Dealership owner Jim Anderer was on with Neil Cavuto.
Jim's dealership is being shut down.
Anderer noted that the closings didn't make any sense and that many of them were profitable. Anderer says the country was shutting down his business. He couldn't understand how they were making their decision on which dealerships they were closing:
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Find out which GOP donors getting Chrysler's ax
Obama receives only $450 in entire inventory of political contributions
The list of Chrysler's 789 closing franchises and databases of political donors and found that of dealership owners making contributions in the recent election, less than 10 percent gifted to Democrats while 90 percent gave substantial sums to Republican candidates.
The following dealers are scheduled to lose their Chrysler franchise designation. Based on available records and databases, each of them contributed to political campaigns during the 2008 election.
Many of the dealers who donated to Republican campaigns last year also contributed additional thousands to George W. Bush's presidential 2004 campaign and to campaigns to elect GOP representatives. Those donations are not included in this list.
The listed franchise owners contributed at least $450,000 to Republican presidential candidates and the GOP in the recent election while only $7,970 was donated to Sen. Hillary Clinton's campaign and $2,200 was given to Sen. John Edwards' campaign.
Of all political contributions from dealers on the list of closing facilities, President Obama received a combined total of only $450 toward his election.
Dealers who contributed to GOP and candidates in recent election:
Source for the list of all 789 dealerships to be closed
• Vernon G. Buchanan: $147,450 to GOP candidates and organizations
• Wallace D. Alley and Family: $4,500 to GOP.
• Robert Archer: $4,600 to GOP and conservative causes.
• Homer S. Higginbotham and Family: $2950 to GOP.
• James Auffenberg and Family: $28,000 to GOP; $6,000 to one Democrat candidate.
• Michael Maroone and Family: $60,000 to GOP; $8,500 to two Democrat candidates.
• Jerome Fader: $6,500 to Democrats; $2,500 to Independent Joe Lieberman.
• Stephen Fay and Family: $13,500 to GOP.
• William Numrich: $20,000 to GOP.
• Robert Carver: $10,000 to Democrats including $1,950 to Hillary Clinton, nothing to Barack Obama.
• Robert and Linda Rohrman: $24,000 to GOP.
• Frank Boucher, Jr. and Family: $18,000 to GOP, $1,000 to one Democrat candidate.
• Scott Bossier: $4,300 to GOP.
• Todd Reardon: $17,000 to GOP; $2,000 to one Democrat candidate.
• Russ Darrow and Family: $78,000 to GOP.
• Bradford Deery and Family: $24,700 to GOP.
• Charles Gabus and Family: $30,000 to GOP.
• Brian Smith: $15,500 to GOP.
• Michael Schlossman: $14,000 to GOP; $14,000 to three Democrats ($12,500 to Sen. Russ Feingold).
• Don Hill: $11,000 to GOP; $12,800 to conservative incumbent Rep. Heath Shuler.
• Don Miller: $2,000 to GOP; $1,000 to Feingold.
• Eddie Cordes: $2,150 to GOP.
• Robert Edwards: $1,100 to GOP.
• James Crowley: $19,100 to GOP.
• Stanley Graff: $2,200 to John Edwards (2008 Presidential Run); $500 to GOP.
• John Stewart: $10,500 to GOP.
• John Fitzgerald and Family: $4,600 to John McCain (2008); $2,000 to Hillary Clinton (2008); nothing to Barack Obama.
• William Churchill and Family: $3,500 to GOP.
• Thomas Ganley: $9.450 to GOP.
• Gary Miller: $20,000 to GOP.
• Kevin and Gene Beltz: $18,500 to GOP.
• Arthur Grayson: $14,000 to GOP.
• Eric Grubbs and Family: $26,000 to GOP.
• Michael Leep and Family: $19,500 to GOP; $4,800 to three Democrats including Sen. Evan Bayh.
• Harry Green, Jr.: $10,000 to GOP.
• Ronald Hoover: $5,250 to GOP.
• Ray Huffines and Family: $18,500 to GOP.
• John O. Stevenson: $1,500 to GOP.• James Marsh: $8,200 to GOP.
• Max Pearson and Family: $112,000 to GOP.
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GOP Chrysler Dealers Terminated: Rush Limbaugh Show...Rush reads a letter from a successful dealer being FORCED to close!!! Excellent video.
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Rep. Aaron Schock's supporter Gary Uftring from Peoria, Illinois is losing two of his franchises even though they are "5 Star Dealerships" that make money.
U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock blasted Chrysler's decision to shutter nearly 800 dealerships across the country, including two here that he and others say are making money and not costing the automaker a dime.
Joined by Gary Uftring, owner of Uftring Auto Mall, Schock stressed that there should be greater accountability of the governmental task force tapped by the Obama administration to review the overhaul of the domestic auto industry.
"This happened not because they failed, not because of market pressure, but because of a third party, the government, which intervened," the congressman said, saying the government shouldn't be in the business of dictating business decisions to an entire industry.
To him, the decision to close shop makes no sense. He claims he met all sales expectations and never cost Chrysler money. Rather, he said, he was a "Five Star" dealership, the highest rating Chrysler gives, and one of the better-selling dealerships.
Terry Allen, whose Chrysler dealership in Mason City will be eliminated, said his business was the top sales tax generator in the area. He, like Uftring, said he met or exceeded all expectations from the car maker but in the end, has about three weeks left as a dealer.
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Wild Thing's comment............
Everthing Obama does is ANTI-AMERICAN ! This is total criminal activity by Obama and the democrat party.
The way Obama’s election campaign & lap-dog press went after his rivals during the campaign was unprecedented.
Think about this, Obama was NOT an almighty, long term, powerful politician when he was running, he was only a US Sen for 4 yrs. Going from a Constitutional Republic to a Fascist Tyranny is “change”
But he wielded power like he was as powerful as Stalin in USSR.
Now that he's in control of the Exec Branch of the US, just think how much power he has now!
The entirei thing is Obama's fault, his fingerrpints are all over it. He is in charge, he is the one that controlled what happened with what he did with Chrysler soooo how does it feel Obama. YOU can't blame President Bush on this one you jerk Communist Marxist!
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....Thank you Mark for sending this to me.
Mark
3rd Mar.Div. 1st Battalion 9th Marine Regiment
1/9 Marines aka The Walking Dead
VN 66-67
Posted by Wild Thing at May 29, 2009 07:50 AM
Comments
But I thought he was going to create jobs! Closing Chrysler dealers and GM dealers is NOT creating them, it's taking them away. It's going to hurt multi dealers bottom lines as Chrysler and GM are some of the most popular vehicles on the road today and guess what? They won't hire as many salespeople and mechanics. So much for bringing jobs to America.
Posted by: Lynn at May 29, 2009 08:22 AM
I see the Auffenberg name on the list. A 5-star dealership in Cape Girardeau and O'Fallon MO. Coincidentally, Cape is Rush's hometown. I heard a guest mention the political angle of the closings on Cavuto's show a couple of days ago. It seems this has now been confirmed. The ironic part of it is that the Republican business owners would undoubtedly pump more money into the treasury and into GM and Chrysler than their Democratic counterparts. Another stupid, partisan move from the Obama bankruptcy experts. Soon, Chrysler and GM products will be synonimous with the Russian Zil.
Posted by: jim warren at May 29, 2009 08:50 AM
Dealerships are owned by private individuals who pay franchise fees to the factory. In return the factory sells cars to dealerships at reduced rates, provides warranty reimbursement on repairs, provides financing to the dealerships, and provides incentives for the dealer and customers. A dealership doesn't cost the factory any money. If a dealership isn't profitable, the free market will weed it out.
I've wondered if these Chrysler/Dodge dealerships closing were political motivated. When you see a profitable dealer being closed, there can only be one reason; politics. You can bet a dealer owner who contributes heavy to the Democrap party isn't going to close.
Posted by: BobF at May 29, 2009 10:37 AM
The political selection of the dealerships to close certainly is true here in Connecticut.
Posted by: Avitar at May 29, 2009 11:04 AM
With all the hype of 'Lack' of money in GM and Chrysler. Does it make sense to close a Dealership(s) that's making money?
These Dealerships serve a purpose, where in rual areas are owners suppose to get their cars fixed. Of course what about parts Parts come from the manufactureer... This is going to create more headaches than these two-bit lawyers had planned on.
What about the inventory at these dealers, Big dealers have a huge inventory parts and cars, salesmen, mechanics...they are without jobs too.
But hey the unions are making out. Hehehe...how long is that Union job going to last with no support for the product they make.
Posted by: Mark at May 29, 2009 11:37 AM
Obama is not President. He is a dictator out of the corrupt Chicago political system. He is taking the worst of political practices and arrogantly bringing them to the forefront.
Obama is breaking America economically. These dealership closings are one example. A lot of people are losing their jobs even though they worked at successful companies. Corporate officers are now taking their orders from the executive branch of government instead of the marketplace.
Obama's plan is that the Executive branch of government will run America. He doesn't care about the provisions and restrictions of The Constitution. Obama plans to destroy The Constitution which is the heart and soul of America.
Posted by: TomR at May 29, 2009 11:45 AM
Hanging is to merciful for the messiah. Long periods of cruelty and torture are necessary to teach this anti American racist commie that we don't like him. He needs to suffer and suffer to the max.
Posted by: cuchieddie (DHS suspected terrorist)) at May 29, 2009 01:19 PM
Il Duce and his thugs, “Chrystal Nacht” is very real in the Fourth Reich.
Posted by: Jack at May 29, 2009 05:01 PM
I am having connection problems right now,
so I just want to say thank you so much
for all of your comments and input.
Like Tom said Obama is a dictator. I don't
think I will ever not be shocked at what is
happening.
Posted by: Wild Thing at May 30, 2009 01:24 AM
