Now this is the way these kinds of issues should be addressed. Zero Hedge, a blog run by some guys who know the difference between a slide rule and a dipstick, ran a quantitative analysis of the data concerning whether a Chrysler dealer is being closed or not and the political contributions of its majority owner.
They found a “highly positive correlation between dealer survival and Clinton donors.” Not exactly what some might have expected, but there it is. One caution, which I stress in my Database 101 Computer-Assisted Research and Reporting (CARR) course, correlation is NOT causation. The rooster crows and the sun comes up, but the one doesn’t cause the other. There may be additional factors besides political donations that partially explain which dealers are being closed.
Go here and read the full explanation by Zero Hedge. Another caution: These guys use language that isn’t safe for work. You should also check out this post by Doug Ross.
By the way, when I speak of trans-partisanship, this sort of process is what I have in mind. This particular issue of whether partisan political considerations entered into which Chrysler dealerships got the axe was uniquely subject to a data-driven analysis. There may yet be analyses that need to be done, but for now there should be no doubt that strong evidence exists for the presence of partisan considerations in the closure process imposed on Chrysler executives by the White House.
Now the question is who is responsible and what is going to be done to remedy the damage they have inflicted?
I also look forward to apologies from those folks on the Left side of the blogosphere who scoffed at those of us who raised this issue. But, I’m not holding my breath.
UPDATE: Chrysler dealer council speaks
But not as an independent voice willing to speak truth to power. No, these guys are all survivors, so they are beholden to the government-owned management of the “new Chrysler” for the fact they remain in business. Josh Painter expains at Red State in his “Dealergate 5” post.
