Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Did An Obama Enemy's List Play A Role In Decision To Close Chrysler Dealerships?

Indiana Chrysler dealers who recently got word that the bankrupt auto dealer had decided to close their dealerships should be pondering whether their past political donations to Republicans played a role in their fate. Blogger Doug Ross' analysis of the list of closed dealerships indicates that dealers who have contributed a lot of money to Republican candidates in the past didn't fare so well. Ross' initial post is supported by anecdotes published on other blogs. Indianapolis' Kevin and Gene Beltz are listed as contributing $18,500 to Republican candidates according to Ross. Gene Beltz Shadeland Dodge, owned by the Beltz family, is on the closure list. Michael Leep's South Bend dealership is being closed. He has contributed $19,500 to Republican candidates, along with a few thousand dollars to Evan Bayh and other Democrats, according to Ross. The reaction of some of the dealers on the closure list nationally suggests that there were factors other than the dealership's financial track record at play. Even very profitable dealers were axed. The administration of Barack Obama is exercising unprecedented power over the auto industry in the wake of Chrysler's and GM's financial meltdowns. Obama is dictating the terms of Chrysler's bankruptcy to the disappointment of many creditors and other interested parties.

6 comments:

Jason said...

Palmer Dodge is not owned by the Beltz family. The Palmer family and others own the Palmer dealerships. However, I believe they are Republicans as well.

Gary R. Welsh said...

Thanks for the correction.

Sir Hailstone said...

It will be interesting to see how the Ed Martin dealerships fare with a all but certain GM bankruptcy. Ed Martin is normally near the top of GOP donor lists (the public lists anyway). Not quite up there with P.E. MacAllister but he's up there.

Gary R. Welsh said...

I bought my Honda from Ed Martin. He's diversified.

Reaganite Independent said...

Obama thinks he's Tony Soprano now- strong-arming legitimate, legal rights and claims from hedge funds... mafia-style, including union death-threats... so he could hand 55% of Chrysler over to the UAW, who donated $5M to his campaign.

If that's not stealing, I don't know what is... it doesn't matter how much you dislike hedge funds.

Now he's destroying the evil capitalists that didn't support his fraudulent, disingenuous campaign?

The White House says there's "no evidence"- note that Hitler was careful to only give verbal orders, too... and Obama's not new to this sort of thing.

Obama's completely out-of-control. But what did anyone expect with a neutered press, compliant congress, and cabinet full of sycophants?

http://reaganiterepublicanresistance.blogspot.com

Dana said...

R-R-R: "Obama thinks he's Tony Soprano now- strong-arming legitimate, legal rights and claims from hedge funds... mafia-style, including union death-threats... so he could hand 55% of Chrysler over to the UAW, who donated $5M to his campaign.

If that's not stealing, I don't know what is... it doesn't matter how much you dislike hedge funds.
"

You've been listening to late night Indianapolis talk radio again, haven't you? LOOK. If Chrysler hadn't gone into bankruptcy then there would be ZERO chance of saving any jobs. Nits to the hedge funds and stock holders and weasly little Wall Street types that made the lousy decision to invest in Chrysler post-Daimler.

Dana Curtis Kincaid
Indy