Fox News Host Gretchen Carlson: Government Unfairly Shutdown My Parents' GM Dealership

NewsBusters ^ | June 10, 2009 | Jeff Poor

[Rufus2007]

Many have claimed the federal government was playing fast and loose with the rules surrounding its takeover of General Motors and the circumstances surrounding the selection of which dealerships would remain open and those that wouldn't. Fox News' Gretchen Carlson came forward with evidence of this through a personal account of dealership closings.

Carlson, a co-host on the Fox News Channel's morning show "Fox & Friends," appeared on Glenn Beck's June 9 program and questioned the logic behind the decision reached by the government and General Motors (GM) to close down a dealership that has been in her family for 90 years.

"I'd like to get a hold of the car czar too," Carlson said. "Never did I think personally that I would need to get a hold of him, but now I do because my parents have owned a General Motors dealership in Anoka, Minn., for 90 years and they were terminated last week and they would like to know why. They would like to know why from the car czar."

...more (w/video)...

[Carley]

My bad, I read the article from the bottom up.

[Miss Didi]

It’s been in her family for 90 years. They have been on the show, too...very nice people. This morning she was in tears every time she did an interview about Barry’s takeover.

[Cheetahcat]

“I read somewhere that the dealerships that were closed down were almost all Republican donors.

I hope that can be proved”

Look If it could be proved what exactly do you do now? The highest court in the land is useless!!!

[Carley]

IOW, real Americans are to be put out of business. The heart and soul of what it means to be American.

[Oldexpat]

In Chicago they do stuff like this all the time. Jesse Jackson’s son has a Bud distributor and his trucks don’t get parking tickets like their competitors.
Just watch where all the car dealer contributions go next time.

[Dead Corpse]

I grew up 4 blocks from Main Motors in Anoka. I went to HS with Gretchen. Heck, she was 1st chair violin her Sr. year when I was a Sophomore viola.

My parents bought their Cadillac from Main Motors.

This dealership was known as a pillar in the community. They sponsored numerous charities and events including the Anoka Halloween Parade and High School sports teams. The Mother's Day Classic Car show is held on their lot.

This hits entirely too close to home and on entirely too personal a note.

[CSM]

“I read somewhere that the dealerships that were closed down were almost all Republican donors.”

That is undoubtedly true. However, it is also very likely that 90% of all car dealerships are owned by Republicans, so the closure rate would match that no matter the intentions.

[Carley]

Out of work, college fund for kids just about gone.

401K just about gone.

Who can think about buying a new car. It’s more like how will I put food on the table for my family.

In five short months O put America out of business.

[pillut48]

Hopefully Americans will remember this come election time! And not believe this total BS about “Oh, this mess was all inherited by poor widdle HolyO because the previous administration (read: BUSH’S FAULT!!!) just about destroyed America in the 8 years it was in power...burns me up every time I hear HolyO say those phrases. I just want to shake him and shout MAN UP ALREADY!!! SHEESH!!!! IT’S YOUR FAULT TO!! I blame Bush 5%, and you 95%!!!!!! Arrrrggghhhhhhh!!!

[pillut48]

C’mon, people, the dealership has been IN THE FAMILY for 90 years. Don’t be obtuse!!!

This isn’t the only example of dealerships that have been around their communities (and many are the ONLY dealership in their communities)for many many years.

[khnyny]

One of their competitors was being shut down till a closed door meeting with the maker and government. Now the competitor will remain open.

Exactly - a political "connection" got the meeting with the govt officials and GM. Presto, changeo, they get what they want and stay open. This is one of the big stories that needs to be investigated, imho. What, exactly, was the methodology used to calculate these closings?? What strong arm tactics have been implemented that may be illegal?

Business can only survive in a society which is basically ethical and honors contracts.

[Responsibility2nd]

OK, besides all the confustion about her parents owning the dealership for 90 years...

What does she mean when she claims the Government closed down her parents’ GM dealership?

I know Obama had a hand in closing Chrysler dealers.

But no announcements have been made yet as to which GM dealers Obama will target.

She is flapping her gums. Needs to speak more accurately.

[stayathomemom]

My dad talked about driving himself home from the dentist in his Dad's car when he was 9 years old! They could do that back in the old days. I think he said his dad always owned Buicks. This would have been about 1915. (My dad was a lot older than me by the way.)

[OrioleFan]

I would suggest that Fox News use FOIA to obtain Car Czar and Treasury documents pertaining to the automobile manufacturer takeovers, and subsequent dealership closings, since the Government owns Chrysler and GM.

[Xenalyte]

What, so 110-year-olds can’t own car dealerships?

Ageist.

[angcat]

I believe Gretchen is an Obama lover.

[patriotspride]

” Uh, she’s not so good at math either.

Her parents owned a dealership for 90 years........”

Glad someone else picked that up. That’s the first thing I said to my wife as we listened to her. Goes to show that without a script/telepromter our media commentators come up
short.

At least when I listen to Glen Beck / Neil Cavuto I have the feeling they are speaking off the cuff, and not in some programmed manner.

[philled]

I don't usually listen to Beck but heard the interview this morning on my way to work. I had no idea who it was (didn't know the Fox angle) and found the story compelling. This is frightening.

"Fast and Loose" may be an understatement! The owners can either sign a gag order next week and "wind down" their business (and $4 million in inventory) over the next year or become terminated and try to sell their inventory that the factory will not warrant and not be recognized as a service outlet. They can sue- but regardless of the outcome they are responsible for GM's legal fees.

The dealership has been in existence for 90 years- I'm not sure how many of them have been under the Carlsons. It sounds like at least a generation. It will soon be a huge white elephant (13 acres) that used to employ 85 to 100 people. Oh, and the "evil" owners find themselves ruined. They wondered what will happen- is their franchise going to be given to someone else?

[hoosier hick]

Airhead? And how many degrees do you have from Stanford? Hmmm?

hh

[massgopguy]

The is no oversight on Czars.