More evidence emerges that Chrysler Dealer closings was politically motivated

The American Thinker ^ | May 27, 2009 | Rick Moran

[Scanian]

I wrote yesterday of the possibility that Chrysler dealers who had been given the ax were disproportionately Republican - many of them large contributors to GOP candidates and the RNC.

Now comes more evidence that these dealer closings were politically motivated. Through Reliapundit at Astute Bloggers, we learn that the lawyer for the dealers being torpedoed believes that the closings were ordered not by Chrysler, but by the White House: (via Reuters )

A lawyer for Chrysler dealers facing closure as part of the automaker's bankruptcy reorganization said on Tuesday he believes Chrysler executives do not support a plan to eliminate a quarter of its retail outlets. Lawyer Leonard Bellavia, of Bellavia Gentile & Associates, who represents some of the terminated dealers, said he deposed Chrysler President Jim Press on Tuesday and came away with the impression that Press did not support the plan.

"It became clear to us that Chrysler does not see the wisdom of terminating 25 percent of its dealers," Bellavia said. "It really wasn't Chrysler's decision. They are under enormous pressure from the President's automotive task force."

The dealer closings were not ordered by the bankruptcy judge but by the White House. This puts a whole new light on how the dealers to be closed were chosen and, more importantly, who did it.

And Jim Hoft has found an incredible piece of information. Apparently, a politically connected group of Democrats who own six Chrysler dealerships not only were allowed to keep them, but their competition was deep sixed. Hoft has a link to a blog on the Chrysler dealer shutdowns run by Joey Smith who reports:

[khnyny]

Unbelievable. Thanks for posting.

[Kartographer]

[Slapshot68]

Interesting. Of course, I would expect more Republicans to own businesses anyway over Dems.

[mikelets456]

Thanks for posting...my intuitions were correct. This is “stalin-USA” BS happening. At some point the people have got to make a stand before it’s too late...

[savedbygrace]

If this could be proven . . . .

[C210N]

This is CRIMINAL. Talk about “follow the money”, how about “stop the money”, as in drying up a source of campaign contributions to political opponents, while “augment the money”, as in beefing up campaign contributions to political allies. And we are talking about OUR money here, as you buy [Chrysler] cars in the future, the dealership profits being apportioned to campaign contributions.

[NativeNewYorker]

http://chryslerdealershipshutdown.blogspot.com/

Looks like special Dems had their competitors closed.

[george76]

Big Dem Donor Group allowed to keep all 6 Chrysler dealerships open.... Local competitors eliminated by Obama’s task force!!

Earlier it was reported that the Obama Administration may have targeted GOP donors in deciding which Chrysler dealerships would have to close their doors.

Now there’s this...

RLJ-McLarty-Landers is owned by three men.

One was the former Chief of Staff for President Clinton.

One is the founder of Black Entertainment Television and a huge Obama supporter.

All 6 of their Chrysler dealerships will remain open.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2258852/posts

[N. Theknow]

And Bush caught crap for how many US attorneys he fired?

[henkster]

It CAN be proven. It WILL be ignored.

[lilylangtree]

GM & Chrysler have become the bottomless abyss whereby RATS will pluck their campaign donations from courtesy of the American taxpayers.

[khnyny]

Here they are folks. From the article:

[The company is called RLJ-McLarty-Landers, and it operates six Chrysler dealerships throughout the South. All six dealerships are safe from closing. The dealer locations are:

Bentonville, AR (northwest Arkansas)
Lee’s Summit, MO (south of Kansas City, MO)
Branson, MO
Olathe, KS (near Kansas City)
Bossier City, LA (near Shreveport)
Huntsville, AL

The interesting part is who the three main owners of the company are. The owners are Steve Landers (long-time car dealer, 4th-generation dealer), Thomas “Mack” McLarty (former Chief of Staff for President Clinton), and Robert Johnson (founder of Black Entertainment Television and co-owner of the NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats). Landers has given money to Republicans in the past, but McLarty campaigned for Obama in 2008, and Johnson has given countless amounts of money to Democrats over the years.]

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

There is another one to add to that list near Huntsville, AL.

http://www.hartselleenquirer.com/articles/2009/05/21/news/news1.txt

[Man50D]

They are under enormous pressure from the President's automotive task force."

The auto industry was nationalized with the socialist bailout plans and auto manufacturers being run by BO and his henchman is a surprise?

[Constitution Day]

Pinging Freeper smith5460 who has done a great job on the Chrysler dealer shutdown blog referenced here.

[Scotswife]

This smells like Rahm.

My bets are on him.

[dennisw]

African style socialism in action. Crony socialism. If you are a FOB (friend of ‘Boma) you are in. It’s like being a member of the commie party in Russia in the old days

[Little Ray]

Sorry, but the statistical evidence needs to be refined. If they show that more, better performing “Republican” dealerships were closed, compared to “Democrat” dealerships that were allowed to remain open, you have case.
Otherwise not.

Personally, I’m not sure that cutting the sales force is the way to fight your way out of bankruptcy. Better cars and MORE sales are the way out...

[Republic of Texas]

If this could be proven . . . .

Nothing would happen. Clinton sold missile technology to the Chinese (through Loral). NOTHING. ACORN rigged the election. NOTHING. Obama is nationalizing huge chunks of the economy. NOTHING. He isn't even a US citizen. NOTHING. He already fired the Chairman of GM. NOTHING. The media and the Republicans will do exactly...NOTHING.