GM Hires Fox News Mouthpiece Sean Hannity As Spokesman
GM Hires Fox News Mouthpiece Sean Hannity As Spokesman
General Motors has hired right-wing talk show host Sean Hannity to be the lead spokesman for a car giveaway campaign called “You’re a Great American“:
To stimulate consumer interest in its line of American-built cars, General Motors has turned to radio and Sean Hannity. … Hannity will serve as the spokesperson for GM’s You’re A Great American Car Give-Away, offering radio listeners the chance to pick and win one of five GM vehicles.
Hannity’s hiring comes as GM launches a new patriotic-themed ad campaign. The ads for GM’s Chevrolet Silverado include the slogan “Our country, our truck” and feature images of Rosa Parks and hurricane-damaged houses:
Hannity has a long history of divisive remarks and has repeatedly questioned the patriotism of his political opponents:
– Hannity said a Democratic victory in the midterm elections could be a “victory for the terrorists”
– Hannity said that “making sure Nancy Pelosi doesn’t become the [House] speaker” is “worth … dying for.”
– Hannity defended Ann Coulter’s attack on the widows of 9/11 victims, whom Coulter described as “broads” who were “enjoying their husbands’ deaths.”
– Hannity compared voting for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) to voting for terrorist groups Hamas or Hezbollah.
GM should not make Sean Hannity the face of its promotions.
UPDATE: Read GM’s response.
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Uh huh. Democrats can go on FOX but we have to rally the troops when their anchors get extra gigs…
Where’s that Habeas Corpus coverage, TP?
September 29th, 2006 at 1:30 pmFreaking unbelievable!
September 29th, 2006 at 1:30 pmI get this weird feeling from all this that not paying American cars will be considered unpatriotic. That like so many other problems, instead of fixing a bad economy, just find a scapegoat. And make all opposition appear unpatriotic.
September 29th, 2006 at 1:34 pm*sigh* Is this going to be another ThinkProgress censorship campaign like the attempted (and unsuccessful) effort against “The Path to 9/11″?
Hi Jane!
September 29th, 2006 at 1:36 pmOh brother who would want to buy a GM car now with Hannity pushing it?
September 29th, 2006 at 1:38 pmOnly far-right toothless religious freaks will buy GM cars now > lol.
That’s a turn off. Suddenly I think I look at Toyota.
September 29th, 2006 at 1:39 pmExley, you should be doing other things than trolling on tp and getting your salad tossed by george bush. It’s a beautiful day outside….
September 29th, 2006 at 1:41 pmso it’s ok for these folks to use rosa parks face for their political purposes. afterall isn’t this the administration that said we’re not going to anything in africa because there is nothing there for us. and that let the black americans die and rot in the streets and building for 5 days after katrina. where is rosa’s family? and two, gm was receiving illegal kickbacks from the oil for food fraudulent program. so don’t buy there pieces of shit.
September 29th, 2006 at 1:42 pmThis ought to drive down sales.
September 29th, 2006 at 1:44 pm#7…It’s beautiful out….I’d love to be outside. Alas, I need to stay in the office and (pretend to) work….
September 29th, 2006 at 1:44 pmJust sent Mr. Wagoner a note informing him that I will not purchase anything from a company that hires spokesmen that demonize half of the US voting population.
You might want to do the same.
September 29th, 2006 at 1:46 pmDon’t expect GM to climb out of bankruptcy any time soon.
September 29th, 2006 at 1:46 pmGM should fully keep Hannity, and they should make him the new CEO. Which will only reinforce a history of terrible decisions and stupid marketing campaigns. Hannity’s credibility will continue to suffer now that he is connected with a loser automobile company like GM. The timing is good as GM is about to lose the top spot to Toyota. I think this is great. Let all the dumbshits be together when they go down.
September 29th, 2006 at 1:47 pmAnybody who’s influnced to purchase GM by this marketing campaign deserves the POS car they get.
September 29th, 2006 at 1:47 pmI am forced to agree, in principle, with Exley here, but only as it applies to GM. “The Path to 9/11″ was a purposely deceptive propaganda piece that was broadcast to the public with a dubious political agenda. That piece of trash should never have made it to celluloid.
However, GM is a business that is choosing an exploitive advertising direction to produce profit. That is both their choice and their right. Now, if you do not agree with GM, THEN DON’T BUY THEIR VEHICLES!!!
September 29th, 2006 at 1:48 pm“GM should not make Sean Hannity the face of its promotions. Contact CEO Rick Wagoner now and tell him to drop Hannity.”
…and hire Michael Moore!!
September 29th, 2006 at 1:48 pmThe flailing GM gets Hannity on board. How quaint.
September 29th, 2006 at 1:48 pmJust another management error at GM. Hannity will be cursing if you don’t buy GM you are supporting the terrorists…blah…blah…blah. How about for a good PR move they announce that executive salaries will be linked to the companies year end profits and won’t go above “this” amount…ever. That would reach the hearts and minds of Joe America pretty well.
September 29th, 2006 at 1:52 pmMy brother in law works for GM. I like my brother in law. I drive a Honda, and will continue to buy foreign for the foreseeable future.
Memo to GM: Stop telling me to buy American because “it’s the right thing to do”. $20K-$40K is a lot of money to spend on a “statement”. I’ll pay a little more to buy towels and such that are made in America, but if you want me to buy your cars, you might try a real novel approach – make better cars!
September 29th, 2006 at 1:52 pmNever liked GM cars anyway.
September 29th, 2006 at 1:52 pmE mail sent to GM.
Apparently they don’t care if they lose business.
September 29th, 2006 at 1:52 pm#11. I’m going to wet my pants.
September 29th, 2006 at 1:53 pm*sigh* Is this going to be another ThinkProgress censorship campaign like the attempted (and unsuccessful) effort against “The Path to 9/11″?
Comment by Exley
Hey! It’s 0-5 Exley, trying to spin cowflop into gold again!
“The Path to 9/11,” now that its been exposed as a partisan hit-piece, will never be released to dvd. I’ll bet that’s how ABC was planning on recouping their losses for showing it commercial-free. Great business decision, Goofy.
Hey Exley, how do you feel about Bush using the same interrogation techniques (waterboarding) as the Khmer Rouge? Is Saddam still “unique?”
September 29th, 2006 at 1:53 pmIt proves GM has nothing left in the tank literally and cannot compete globally with the likes of Aisian and European car makers. It has to resort to the shallow “patriotic and feel-goodism” theme to sell its out-of-demand products. And worse GM chooses a rake like Hannity to do the promotion! GM’s management cannot make a good decision on anything even if it kicked them in the ass.
September 29th, 2006 at 1:53 pm#17,
September 29th, 2006 at 1:54 pmSee how stupid hiring someone from the extreme is. Even though you see it when you joke about Michael Moore you fail to see it for Hannity.
Why did GM wait until Rosa Parks died before they used her image in a commercial? Could it be because they’re scumbags?
September 29th, 2006 at 1:54 pmI just sent an e-mail to GM advising that as an owner of a Buick Century with just three payments left to GMAC and ready to trade for a 2006 or 2007 Buick that I would never consider a purchase any GM product as long as Hannity was their spokesman. This was the second Century that I owned and was satisfied with the cars, but no more. This man is no Bob Hope.
September 29th, 2006 at 1:54 pmThis is pretty stupid. If GM espouses these same views, what good is it to write the CEO? duh…you seem to think CEOs are about accountability or something.
Besides, aren’t the majority of GM vehicles actually made in foreign countries and then tagged as American?
September 29th, 2006 at 1:55 pmThis will only appeal to the red-state demographic that’s already predominantly buying GM/American cars. GM should be trying to raise their appeal among those that have sworn off American cars (like me) due to their history of poor quality.
My parents bought American all their lives, and I can still remember being stuck by the road when the ford’s engine caught fire, or when the hood latch on the Pontiac Sunbird came loose on the freeway and the hood flew up, or in 1985 when my ‘81 mustang’s electrical system fried in the middle of the nowhere.
My ‘89 Camry hasn’t had a single incident since I bought it new.
American cars–never again.
September 29th, 2006 at 1:55 pm– Hannity said that “making sure Nancy Pelosi doesn’t become the [House] speaker†is “worth … dying for.â€
You first, Sean.
September 29th, 2006 at 1:57 pm#24, Hey Barfly…Little early to be drinking, isn’t it? You ever read that John Burns piece I sent you?
September 29th, 2006 at 1:57 pmHow is Sean Hannity an authority on who is a great American? Oh, I get it. It’s because he wrote two books with front covers of him and the flag and him and the Statue of Liberty.
September 29th, 2006 at 1:59 pmWho cares……this again shows why GM’s management is clueless on how to gain back market share….using Hannity to pitch your product is akin to “preaching to the choirâ€, it’s a waste of money…..so again…Who Cares….I wouldn’t buy a GM product even if they had Stephanie Miller doing the ads…..btw….Happy Birthday Stephanie
September 29th, 2006 at 2:00 pmJust called and spoke to a secretary, who sounded incredibly overwhelmed and by the time I got three words out, she asked, “You’re calling about Sean Hannity, aren’t you?” I explained I was about to buy a new Saab convertible but will now go for the BMW and she took my number, saying someone will call you to explain, but WE HAVE NOT HIRED HIM“.
Your campaign must be working!
September 29th, 2006 at 2:01 pmGM seems to have been out of the loop since the 80’s. They seem to be last getting that new information on how to run a company. Do they know yet that the demographic they are trying to appeal to is only about 1/3 of the population? Or are they so desperate that they are trying to rally their “base”?
September 29th, 2006 at 2:05 pmJust sent an email: I own a GM, and would have bought another one. Not now. And to think that with your sales plummeting, you do something like this? No wonder you are hemorrhaging money.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:06 pmHey, MA – maybe an environmentalist would be a good spokesperson; that is, if GM cares at all about the environment, America’s oil dependence, gas prices, etc. You may have noticed that other, more successful car companies have been way out in front on this issue.
And, as far as your hubby’s truck is concerned, it sounds pretty cool. The only thing I object to are these rich folks who live in city neighborhoods (like the Lincoln Park area of Chicago, for example), who drive around in huge SUVs but never venture past the city limits. Lord knows, you need a Jeep Comanche or a Range Rover to drive 10 mph in bumper-to-bumper traffic for two or three blocks to pick up the dry cleaning or buy another overpriced fake coffee drink. But if Mr. A actually has a use for that vehicle, more power to him!
September 29th, 2006 at 2:06 pmHabeas corpus? Or Sean Hannity… well that’s my last post on TP until they start working on the habeas corpus suspension. Here’s Rude Pundit as of yesterday before the vote
September 29th, 2006 at 2:06 pmHey Mighty,
Does Mr. Aphrodite love the aluminum drive shaft and plastic gas tank in his new Duramax Diesal? He’ll need that pulling capacity with all the feces you guys drag around. Oh yeah, the steel, made in Japan, the wiring harness and electronics, come from China, and it’s still a peice of crap, LOL.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:08 pmI came close to buying a GM car… I will stick with Toyota.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:10 pmGM will now tell buyers that if you purchase one of their cars, or trucks, then you get a nude autographed pic of Hannity > lol.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:11 pmDear Mr Wagoner,
Perhaps it is by mistake that you would use such an character to sell your cars or perhaps not. You don’t need me to explain the partisan nature that you have just embraced. You have, in the process, alienated the MAJORITY of Americans who do not embrace Mr Hannity’s vitriol and hatred for all who do not espouse HIS political philosophies.
For all those hundreds of millions of REAL AMERICANS who do not espouse violence against our fellow Americans because their political philosophy, I say to you: You have just lost a customer. Perhaps for life. Perhaps not. That decision seems to be more up to you now, than I.
I am, and have been, a Registered Republican for a long time (and you can check on that if you like), but I do NOT follow the cultist mind set that you have just embraced, and in fact find it abhorrent. Maybe where you come from, it’s fine to hate your fellow American if they do not bow down to the newly-revised, right-wing extremist Cult of the Republican Party, but that’s not how it’s done here in PA. And you will soon be a witness that as well – as EVERY ONE of the Republican candidates are about to LOSE in PA because of this very fact.
The ball is now in your court sir. I am absolutely astonished that you would choose to mix your brand name up with Politics – particularly at such a polarized time in our Country.
Good luck with that. I’ll sure think twice about EVER buying another GM Product again. I hope you choose to rectify this situation – and undo that egregious error that you have just made, because soon it will be too late.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:11 pmGM, like Ford, and like our government, are colossal failures of trickle-down economics. They’re all too busy catering to immediate, short-sighted goals of the ’shareholders’ and Board of Directors, they’ve lost sight of the big picture, i.e. LONG-TERM SUCCESS.
I’m not pissing on the American way of life, but we’re doing a piss-poor job of utilizing our DEMOCRACY for what the Founding Fathers had in mind, and that’s not good for our World-wide image, or our future as a Superpower.
Seriously, a GM product is at the bottom of most wise car buyers lists. They’ll sell you an SUV with new sheetmetal, but the chassis utilizes 20 year-old technology. That’s a SERIOUS waste of $40k. Get a clue “patriotic” car shoppers (sheeple).
September 29th, 2006 at 2:12 pmSo we’re supposed to give a shit about what a failing SUV manufacturer thinks is good for business? Seriously?
My stomach turned at a campaign called ‘You’re A Great American Car’ using Rosa Parks and Katrina as misguided pandering points to bring in ‘liberals’ for better sales numbers. This is shameless and lame, but just as easily cured if ignored.
Can we focus our outrage on more important issues? The whole point is to deluge us with ‘bleeding heart’ causes so that our messge gets lost in the white noise of the MSM. Stay on target, people. This is fluff.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:14 pm#40, Hey Dave…We actually agree here…I despise those who drive SUVs in the suburbs or the city…It should be illegal! Gas-guzzling, smog-producing, view-obstructing vanity mobiles. You live out in the country or need an SUV for work? Fine. Otherwise, just buy a normal, regular-sized car.
Big game Sunday night, eh?
September 29th, 2006 at 2:14 pm…oh, and my “foreign” Honda was built in the U.S.A. by our fellow Americans.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:14 pmGM: If you don’t buy our gas guzzlers you support the terrorists. So be a good American and buy a GM Yukon. And don’t forget to support our troops that are fighting wars in countries that have the oil for the gas that goes into our Suburban Assault Vehicles. God bless Hannity!
September 29th, 2006 at 2:15 pmHere’s my letter to GM:
Dear Mr. Wagoner,
As a loyal GM customer for over 15 years I have been very conscientious in where I spend my consumer dollars. I have made a conscious effort to support America’s automotive industry by leasing and purchasing all of my family vehicles from General Motors. Reading today that GM plans to hire Fox Network’s Sean Hannity to act as a spokesperson for a new promotion is shocking, and quite honestly viscerally disgusting. Sean Hannity is a very divisive and dishonest public personality, and I am of the opinion that ANY business entity that uses his image, voice, or participation in attempting to promote a product is tacitly promoting Sean Hannity’s views. Those views are in my humble opinion undemocratic, anti-American, racially polarizing, and facist.
If GM goes forward with its plans to employ Mr. Hannity I will be forced to end my longstanding relationship with GM Credit Corp. I will cut up my GM credit card, and purchase my vehicles from an American automotive company that values the opinions, political persuasions and values of ALL of its customers, not just an extreme few. I hope that such a drastic step will not be necessary because I consider myself a loyal GM customer. However, I will not support a company that disrespects me (by engaging in such a disturbing business relationship with such a polarizing figure as Hannity), I’ll protest such an arrangement with my hard earned dollars.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:15 pmNow I know what kind of car I will not be buying.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:15 pmGM!!!
forget the Buick Lucerne I was going to BUY. I will now purchase a non-Hannity Toyota Avalon. As far as being a patriot, I served the US Navy on a Aegis cruiser. (Thats more than Hannity has done.) My car choice does not make me or anyone else a patriot. Want to make the country better, insist GM and Ford build competitive cars!
Texas Juice
September 29th, 2006 at 2:15 pmNo new GM auto for me!
September 29th, 2006 at 2:17 pmExley – yes, and yes!
September 29th, 2006 at 2:18 pmThat’s wierd! If they hired Hannity, the promo should be called
September 29th, 2006 at 2:19 pm“You’re a lying sack of shit!”
#24, Hey Barfly…Little early to be drinking, isn’t it? You ever read that John Burns piece I sent you?
Comment by Exley — September 29, 2006 @ 1:57 pm
Why? I already de-bunked it, 0-5. You said thirty years remember?
he was a uniquely monstrous dictator in the modern world covering the last 30 years Exley
And so was Polpot . . .
Comment by barfly
Thirty years. Not ‘79. Ready to admit defeat yet? Polpot was in power in ‘76, well within the timeframe you asserted, thus making it unnecessary for me to read Burns.
Ducking the Khmer Rouge truth also? Remember what I said about debate resonance?
Oh, and I’m preparing as little gift for you this weekend. Be sure to check the threads.
Caio
September 29th, 2006 at 2:19 pmI took a play out of the Democratic playbook and told GM I was THRILLED with the Hannity choice!
September 29th, 2006 at 2:20 pmThat’s my way of politically telling them I’m opposed to Hannity!
I rent cars frequently for my job, I have rented a lot of cars and driven them 100’s of miles. An opportunity most people don’t get. Even the brand new GM products have problems most people would not notice or just deal with. Like you can see visible differences in the spaces between body panels, they are not uniform, some are raised up a little. I am amazed people spend 20-40k on a car and dont’ notice or just accept this. I have always owned Toyota and nuthin but, I never have problems besides the usual expected maintenance. And the new Tundra for 2007 is poised to blow away all the F-150’s and Chevy 1500’s. Bye.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:22 pmOhhhh NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!!!
I had already targeted the C6 – Z06 Corvette as the sports car I would use to start my mid-life crisis !!!!
This Hannity stuff really takes the fun out that !
So GM is trying to stave off bankruptcy by pissing off more than half of America? Terrific.
Hey #32 – Exley.
I expected more from you on the “State of Denial” thread. A couple of measley posts – but otherwise, nothing.
Still think Mr. Bush is doing a “fantastic job?”
(Exley – you gotta fold this hand. There is nothing to defend here … )
Anyway, … Damn that Hannity !
Now I have to go figure out a new car for my mid-life crisis … maybe Ford will have something out besides the Mustang by then … (damn that Hannity!)
September 29th, 2006 at 2:22 pmHowever, GM is a business that is choosing an exploitive advertising direction to produce profit. That is both their choice and their right. Now, if you do not agree with GM, THEN DON’T BUY THEIR VEHICLES!!!
Comment by Stating+the+Obvious — September 29, 2006 @ 1:48 pm
Well, I won’t buy their vehicles, and I’ll exercise my right to tell them why, if it’s OK with you.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:24 pmTime for a Sean Hannity Slogan Contest:
Take a Sharp Right Turn in a Silverado
or
Who Needs Bolts? Silverado Rolls with Right Wing Nuts
September 29th, 2006 at 2:24 pmNo more GM products for me! I’ll keep driving my Ford, as if were any better, but so far they haven’t insulted my intelligence like GM.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:25 pm#60….In other wors, no, you haven’t read it. I am perplexed as to why you feel the need to continue this discussion. But that is your perogative….In case you decide to take a look, here ya go on, pardner!:
“Many of us had worked on and off long years in Iraq, and had come to understand what made Iraq different from almost every other country we had ever been to. I personally have lived and worked in many of the world’s nastiest places over the last 30 years.
And Iraq was clearly the nastiest of them, saving only North Korea about which I know a great deal less, because visas for North Korea are a great deal harder to get.
Iraq was the most complete terrorist state. It was a frightening and pathetic thing to see how a nation of 25 million people had been reduced to a state of abject fear. And we knew that there’s only one way to produce this kind of fear, and that is by killing, by large scale killing.
Now we know with the war over that what human rights reports had been telling us for years was probably an underestimate. We know that he killed hundred of thousands of his own people.â€
John Burns
September 29th, 2006 at 2:26 pmNew York Times
http://www.cbc.ca/ deadlineiraq/ burns.pdf#search=%22John%20Burns%20Iraq%20different%20fear%22
This contest of “I’m a better American than you because I buy GM and listen to Sean Hannity” is totally shallow and stupid…just like GM and Sean Hannity.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:26 pmSERIOUSLY, I WAS going to buy a Chevy HHR TOMORROW, from Carnahan Chevrolet in Ypsilanti, Michigan. I was HOURS away from signing on the dotted line.
Looks like a Scion xB for me and I’m a LIFELONG Chevy guy. SOME things (and those who SUPPORT torture DO NOT get my business) are non-political or should be. I guess GM doesn’t need my 16 large….
Thank you GM for helping make up my mind….
September 29th, 2006 at 2:26 pmTriumph,
September 29th, 2006 at 2:27 pmI am not a Ford fan but the new Shelby Mustang would not be a bad choice.
Another example of the awesome hypocrisy of the extreme right.
When right-wing ‘merican kool-aid drinkers cry to me about why I bought an import, I remind them that we live in a capitalist country and about how they are often railing about free market economics to my face.
For me, my money goes to the better product, not to a company to subsidize their incompetence.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:27 pmJon Stewart played the GM “our country” commercial the other night. I thought it was very annoying, didn’t like the music, didn’t like the message they were trying to send. I recognized Rosa Parks but he had to point her out to his younger crowd.
I already own a GM car and won’t be trading it in anytime soon, but I’ll write to GM & let them know my displeasure about Hannity.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:27 pmmy email to lyle waggoneer stated that the hole they are in just keeps getting deeper. next, hire george allen to say hi to the chinese…
September 29th, 2006 at 2:27 pm#61…Hold on, Triumph…I will revisit to the “State of Denial” thread and see if there is anything new there. If so, I will post something new.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:28 pmExley,
I am #60 and I have no idea what the hell you are talking about. Use names, not numbers, because when a post might get deleted, it screws up the numbers. Carry on.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:29 pmScion is made by Toyota, excellent choice.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:30 pmHere’s my email:
Sorry to see you would choose somebody as divisive as Mr. Hannity to be the voice for GM. It has made my decision easier on which vehicle/company to choose. I will be purchasing a vehicle in the very near future and I will now have to put the Outlook and Acadia out of my mind.
You have the opportunity to build on great products, why diminish that with Mr. Hannity.
MA and Ex This is not my campaign to get Insanity Hannity kick out of being the spokesman. It’s my choice not to purchase because of him. Remember “Don’t by any French wine”?
September 29th, 2006 at 2:32 pmWell it kinda hurts, I mean I’ve been a Chevy guy since the old Chevette, I owned a Beretta and Lumina as well.
GM Almost got me in an HHR, they’re very nive vehicles BUT, not now. Not with a spokeman who supports torture and wireless wiretaps
Nuh-uh
September 29th, 2006 at 2:32 pmSlannity didn’t serve, but has the gall to call anyone who disagrees with him a ‘whacko’. Apparently, he prefers a one party political system.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:32 pmHmmm, Slannity, that was Communism, right?
You’re a great Communist, Slannity.
GM Sucks
Why would any company pick a personality so inherently partisan to pitch their product. Whether it is Hannity or Michael Moore, they run the risk of turning off buyers before the message is even delivered. Also, anyone else think the pic is a little odd? The Great American contest, the flag behind Hannity, and the Saab logo? Out of all the GM divisions, they picked Pontiac, Saturn and Saab? Baseball, Hot Dogs and Saab, I guess.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:33 pmI haven’t owned a GM junk for over 30 years, otherwise I would write them
September 29th, 2006 at 2:33 pmand threaten not to buy another one of their cars. GM is definately down the tubes if they have to call on Hannity.
I’d boycott GM, but I would never buy their products anyway. Quel domage!
September 29th, 2006 at 2:33 pmFor Truth….Good advice. Thank you. I was addressing Barfly…I guess a couple of posts got deleted and move him from 60 to 58.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:34 pmBOYCOTT GENEAL MOTORS.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:34 pmKind of weird that Saab is shown in the ad. Didn’t know Saab was an “American” car.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:34 pmjust sent an email to lyle waggoneer pointing out that the hole they are in just got deeper. when it get to china, they could hire sen. george allen to to be their face down there…
September 29th, 2006 at 2:35 pmOne more thing that offends me if GM KNEW who this guy was, they KNOW his track record and STILL hired him.
Oh, Liberals like me can’t enjoy driving American cars now? WTF?!
September 29th, 2006 at 2:35 pmI’d boycott, but I don’t buy GM products anyway. Quel fromage!
September 29th, 2006 at 2:36 pmBOYCOTT THESE COMPANIES:
General Motors Corporation, also known as GM, is the world’s largest automaker. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 326,999 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, Michigan, USA, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 33 countries. In 2005, 9.17 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Hummer, Oldsmobile (now defunct), Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Vauxhall. GM operates a finance company, GMAC Financial Services, which offers automotive, residential and commercial financing and insurance. GM’s OnStar subsidiary is a provider of vehicle safety, security and information services.
GM is the majority shareholder in GM Daewoo Auto & Technology Co. of South Korea, and has product, powertrain and purchasing collaborations with Suzuki Motor Corp. and Isuzu Motors Ltd. of Japan. GM also has advanced technology collaborations with Toyota Motor Corporation of Japan, DaimlerChrysler AG and BMW AG of Germany, and vehicle manufacturing ventures with several automakers around the world, including Toyota, Suzuki, Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation of China, AVTOVAZ of Russia and Renault SA of France.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:36 pmIts a gobal market. Buying GM is not supporting your country like it used to. Hell many foreign auto manufacturers have large plants right here in the USA and employ Americans. Many parts, and the steel used in makin’ those good ol’ merkin cars come from other countries. GM stopped using Bethlehem steel in the 70’s and went to Japan.
GM even had the balls to ask Toyota to raise their prices so GM can be more competitive.
Perfect example of greed and laziness coming back to haunt you.
Its amazing these ol’ boys still aren’t gettin’ it.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:36 pmGM owns Saab
September 29th, 2006 at 2:36 pmSorry for the double post. :(
September 29th, 2006 at 2:37 pmOT – Habeas Corpus has been suspended. Bush now has the authority to claim YOU, ME or ANYBODY an Enemy Combatant and hold us FOREVER in jail. He can do this entirely at his discretion with NO Oversight. He can TORTURE AS IN ANY MANNER HE SEES FIT. And as long as we’re at war, which is FOREVER, he retains this power.
Why is no one talking about this? The country officially died today when he signed the bill.
What sort of act could get you in trouble? I haven’t a clue. Maybe talking to that Arab guy who sells you your lottery ticket in the 7-11. Perhaps he’s a relative of a suspected terrorist and if someone sees you talking to him now you’re a suspected terrorist too.
Maybe not buying a car from a real American like Sean Hannity can get you nabbed as an Enemy Combatant??
Maybe posting on TP makes you an Enemy Combatant.
At least I’ve figured out why Halliburton (or one of its subsidiaries) has been building those “secret” jails around the country. They’re for you and me. I’m sure Karl Rove has a list of people to begin grabbing and he’s salivating like a happy dog.
Friends, the nightmare has begun. Bush has won. The terrorists have won. We have lost.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:38 pmThe Democrats destroyed their party yesterday and you retards are talking about GM.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:38 pmI don’t think you folks quite realise what happened yesterday.
Yes, GM owns Saab, but it is an inherently Swedish Brand. GM also owns Daewoo, but I don’t see Daewoo and think “Made in America.” Ford owns Jaguar, I would hardly say the Brits think the Jag is an All American car!
September 29th, 2006 at 2:38 pmCONTACT SAAB:
Saab Customer Assistance Center:
Saab Automobile USA
4405-A International Blvd.
Norcross, GA 30093
USA
Phone: (770) 279-0100
Fax: (770) 279-6499
http://www2.saabusa.com/common/contact.asp
September 29th, 2006 at 2:41 pmWell I drive a GM car, and I am insulted. I will definately be sending in a letter.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:42 pmThat was very sucessful. The ratings were so low, you’d have to climb down a well to see them. It isn’t always about getting something pulled off the air. It is sometimes about educating people. Which was very sucessful. ABC lost lots of money on Path to 911. That is great. Good for us, bad for right wingers like yourself.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:43 pmMr. Wagoner:
It has come to my attention you wish to use Sean Hannity as your spokesperson for your “patriotic†themed PR blitz. I would like to call to your attention that Mr. Hannity is a divisive figure, despised by the Left and seen as a hack among moderates and Progressives alike. I’m not sure what your demographics are, but if you wish to sell cars to Americans, you should try not offending half of the voting block, Democrats (which is over a quarter of this nation’s citizens) and alienate half of this country that doesn’t give a damn about politics, and will likely see your decision as a politically motivated choice designed to pander to right-wingers. These people (in total, roughly 75% of the country) may turn their backs on your company once and for all, seeing your company as just “part of the problemâ€, defending gas guzzling SUVs, high gas prices, inferior products and outsourcing jobs to Canada, Mexico and God knows where else, then turning around and trying to sell autos as if they were actually 100% made in the U.S.A.
The American people are not stupid!
It is a colossal mistake. You already have the right-wing phony patriotic audience, you should be expanding your audience the other direction, and most importantly, you should NOT be stepping on anyone’s toes, which will close market doors to your automobiles forever (no pun intended).
Besides, political pundits make lousy spokespeople. Look at Rush Limbaugh and Orange Juice. His campaign generated no media buzz past his initial signing, and ultimately floundered and he was quickly replaced. People didn’t like politics with their OJ, and they certainly will not like it with their automobiles.
You risk loosing more customers than you can possibly gain. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:43 pmThis makes perfect sense…only dumbass winguts buy loser autos from GM so why not hire loser mouth piece Sean Hannity who speaks their language and has the mentality of a 10th grader.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:44 pmI’m glad I bought my Honda and not a GM product. These big wigs at GM are not in touch with the average American.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:44 pmI’m glad I bought my Honda and not a GM product. These big wigs at GM are not in touch with the average American.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:44 pmThis “patriotic” ad campaign will go hand in hand with the (still) descending price of a gallon of Americas favoite elixer, gasoline.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:44 pmThe Bushit will read: “Go out and buy a new American car now, before the elections, and fill up with the cheap gasoline brought to you by the current administration. It will make you feel better NOW, and don’t worry about tomorrow.”
Gird thyselves well for the interesting times to come, folks…… look for gasoline to jump a dollar a gallon; if by some weird occurance the current party retains controll of the legislature….. and two dollars a gallon if the loyal opposition throws the bums out……
Conservative work ethic.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:45 pmThis is the email I sent:
I guess Conservatives buy more cars then liberals do. That must be your strategy here. Usually corporations don’t mix politics with selling and marketing a product.
I will never buy another GM Product if you are going to hire that hatemonger to sell GM cars. GFY.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:45 pmHannity as spokesman for GM…
Talk about throwing a drowning man an anchor!
September 29th, 2006 at 2:45 pmLarry from C:
What can we do? I will vote for people who could turn this one over, or reverse it. That is if I am not in a Halliburton facility by then. I tend to think us sheeple are needed to work, watch tv, buy products, and pay taxes. What use are we if we are all in detention centers?
September 29th, 2006 at 2:46 pmOutta create some great YouTube footage.. GM cars set on fire. Driven over cliffs. Whatever it takes to get that thing out of your driveway. Who’d want to drive around with a stigma like that?
September 29th, 2006 at 2:46 pmWill OBGYN for Food #92
If you are referring to the vote to suspend Habaeus Corpus (for terrorist detainees; whom Bushiva can designate at will)…
…many of us are sickened by it!
September 29th, 2006 at 2:47 pmJUST LEFT A MESSAGE HERE:
Rick Wagoner — Chairman & CEO
Phone: (313) 667-3505
AND YOU CAN TOO.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:48 pmGM just committed corporate suicide, good for them!
September 29th, 2006 at 2:50 pmMight as well mention the events of 9/11 in the ad if they’re going to try and make money off of Rosa Parks with a Fox mouthbreather as a spokesman.
I guess if GM is aiming to sell to the Fox/Bush supporter crowd, they aren’t doing very well financially.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:51 pmToyota employs more auto workers in the US than Ford at this point. If GM continues to make these bad choices, they will soon have fewer works than Toyota.
Right wingers love globalization, except for when it makes our corporation look infirior to other country’s corporation. You know, the ones that do it for their country’s benefit. In the US it is about making money. In Japan, it is about employing people.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:51 pmExley, what level of reading comprehension do you possess? Since you posted the article, allow me to de-bunk it, so that even you will see.
Many of us had worked on and off long years in Iraq, and had come to understand what made Iraq different from almost every other country we had ever been to. I personally have lived and worked in many of the world’s nastiest places over the last 30 years.
Why did he say “almost?”
And Iraq was clearly the nastiest of them, saving only North Korea about which I know a great deal less, because visas for North Korea are a great deal harder to get.
His statement is “what made Iraq different from almost every other country we had ever been to. Burns uses weasel words, like “almost every other country,” to cover himself. What other country would he be referring to, Exley?
Your “proof” debunks itself.
As I said earlier: how does it feel to get pantsed by your own strawman?
It now stands at Exley – 0, barfly – 6.
Tune in this weekend folks, for a special reader segment, called The Chronicles of Exley, in which our insipid hero stumbles from one ill-conceived and unresearched notion to the next. Marvel at how easily he is duped by his own childlike devotion to authority. Laugh, at the many instances in which he trips himself up, and then tries to clumsily back away from previous statements. Cry, for his parents and teachers, and the effort they wasted, trying to instill morals, character,and education into young “X.”
September 29th, 2006 at 2:52 pmEmail sent…let the barrage begin!
September 29th, 2006 at 2:52 pmAguafiero,
Good point, I have had the same opinion about the gas, it will suddenly rise after the November elections. Or it will rise in January after the holiday shopping season. Like last year.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:52 pm(From an email just sent to GM)
Mr Wagoner,
I learned this morning, to my great dismay, that your firm has partnered with an individual named Sean Hannity in order to promote your “You’re A Great American Car Give-Away”. General Motors is welcome to engage in such business practices, and American consumers like myself are welcome to disassociate ourselves with your company as a result.
Hannity’s “You’re a great american” slogan is used to further divide our country, bestowing it on ideologues like himself and ridiculing those who oppose his immoral, unethical, homophobic, unpatriotic and divisive beliefs. A casual perusal of his web site, his broadcasts or his books would very quickly dispel any notions to the contrary.
I was in the market for one of your vehicles. Specifically, a Saturn Sky Red Line which I have looked forward to purchasing for almost a year now. This promotional blunder on your part has cost you that sale, and I hope many others from patriotic Americans who believe in our nation’s motto, E Pluribus Unum, which is loosely translated as “One people, together”.
Shame on you Mr Wagoner, and shame on General Motors.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:53 pmSpudge, “The ratings were so low, you’d have to climb down a well to see them.”
Actually, that is incorrect. Part II of the mini-series was the highest-rated program that Monday night. Millions of Americans saw it and received a valuable history lesson.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:54 pmHannitty has all the integrity and morals of a used car salesman. Why is this a surprise that he would shill for GM as well as pimp for the Bush Administration?
September 29th, 2006 at 2:54 pm#92 Please explain why the Democratic party is now destroyed. I’m very interested in reading your wise words. I mean are they really destroyed? like gone? WOW. I mean this is big. The Democratic party has been destroyed. Are you sure?
September 29th, 2006 at 2:54 pmI called Mr. Wagoner’s office and was informed Mr. Hannity is not going to be hired to be GM’s spokesman. 9/29/06
September 29th, 2006 at 2:55 pmAgain, the hate speech, name calling comes out. One person even says to fire Mr. Hannity, and hire Mr. Moore. Talk about going from one extreme to the other!
I Thinks Sean goes overboard with his comments, but I also think Michael is just as bad.
Either way, a GM vehicle I biought almost killed my family and I, and costme a bankruptcy, I will never EVER own a gm product again, no matter WHO their spokesman is.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:56 pmHere is the E-mail the Aprodites’ sent to GM:
Dear Mr. Wagoner – Don’t be fooled by the Left wing moonbats who are jamming your phones and e-mail. The Lefty Bloggers are incensed about Sean Hannity and your “car contestâ€. Most of them CAN’t or WON’T buy your cars anyway. Many of the liberals on the blogs drive, Honda, Subaru, Toyota, Jetta, etc. They were saying your secretary sound harried – tell her “great job!†and give her a bonus.
Kindest Regards,
Mightier and Mighty Aphrodite
(Did I mention how much I dislike this DA?)
September 29th, 2006 at 2:57 pmHere’s the letter I sent:
**********
I, and my entire family, will not buy another GM product until it is announced that Sean Hannity is no longer a spokesman for GM.
To hire a personality that on a daily basis demonizes more than half the population of this country on both his radio and tv show shows a severe lack of judgement on your part. I’m astonished that you could so callously smack the majority of us in the face.
Considering Bush’s dismal approval ratings, and the fact that anyone who patriotically criticises the administration is relentlessy demonized and literally equated to terrorists by Sean Hannity, it follows pure logic that Sean Hannity thinks that MOST of the people in this country are not “great Americans”.
Thank you for being a conduit of the very insults to dignity that Sean Hannity represents.
You have lost several customers, and more to come.
R.C.
NJ
**********
Awaiting a response, which I doubt I’ll get.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:57 pmIf GM wants to promote patriotism, why don’t they make more fuel-efficient cars that will free Americans from the clutches of the extremist, oil-rich Middle East?
Oh, and they could make better cars, too.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:57 pmBarfly….”The Chronicles of Exley” ….A whole segment devoted to l’il ole me???? I must say I am flattered! For you to devote tall hat much time and energy to me is really, really touching….I’m getting a little misty…Barfly—I love you, man!!!!
September 29th, 2006 at 2:58 pmThere will be repercussions.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:59 pmYou are full of crap. Monday Night Football kicked it’s ass. There isn’t one person here that believes you, so don’t bother lying anymore. Ring wing shill.
September 29th, 2006 at 3:00 pmI just called too and was given the Same response – Hanity is out.
Same Dumbasses who buy GM’s listen to Hannity so maybe this was marketing genius after all. We will never know, thank god
September 29th, 2006 at 3:00 pmI JUST CALLED THE GM NUMBER PROVIDED IN THE ARTICLE, A MR. GARNER’S OFFICE, I BELIEVE. BEFORE I COULD COMPLETE MY QUESTION THE PERSON ON THE PHONE SAID, “IS THIS ABOUT SEAN HANNITY?” WHEN I SAID “YES”, SHE WENT ON TO SAY THAT THEY WERE ABSOLUTELY NOT USEING SEAN HANNITY, AND THEY HAVE NO PLANS TO USE HIM IN ANY PROMO! IN ANY WAY. SHE WAS VERY NICE AND I COULD TELL THAT THEY ARE BEING BOMBARDED WITH NEGATIVE REACTIONS. IT SHOWS THAT IF WE WANT THIS ADMINISTRATION BULL TO END WE CAN! REMEMBER THIS ON NOVEMBER THE 7th!!!!
September 29th, 2006 at 3:05 pmMA – I don’t hate rich people, I’m just envious.
I do, however, hate conspicuous consumption. People who drive monster SUV’s, but have no actual need or use for them, drive me batty (like the lady I saw yesterday, driving the Pepto-Bismal pink Range Rover.
September 29th, 2006 at 3:06 pmHannity is out in the BLOOProg States (from a corporate view – a campaign aimed at progs was a GIGANTIC waste of $$)- in America, the contest goes forward as planned…..
Gotta run…
September 29th, 2006 at 3:06 pmSure am glad I bought a Nissan truck this time around and not GM, like I usually do. Say buh-bye to my money, GM.
September 29th, 2006 at 3:06 pmAmerica’s Least Wanted
Exley do your really love Barfly? I mean really? pretty big words coming from you.
September 29th, 2006 at 3:06 pmExactly.
September 29th, 2006 at 3:07 pmI’ve been driving chevy’s for 10 years. Believe it or not, I like to try to support our unions and keep jobs in the US. To learn I’m going to be bankrolling Hannity and the Republican party makes me feel so betrayed.
Damn, can GM do anything right?
September 29th, 2006 at 3:07 pmMr. Wagoner – my family and I have been lifelong customers of various divisions of General Motors. I worked most of my way through college at the Chevrolet Assembly plant in St. Louis in the early 1960’s. Three months ago, I bought a new Corvette. We are considering a new Cadillac for my wife. Having said all that, I must tell you that I am absolutely appalled that you would use one of the most divisive personalities in the media to act as spokesperson for GM. Do you not realize that you will have alienated close to 50% of the population by taking this action? Many people in this country, me included, are hoping you can get GM back on track – we all know how important this is to the country and the economy. By associating GM with a person that would question my patriotism just because I happen to disagree with President Bush on a number of issues is enough for me to be done with GM. I will no longer consider a GM vehicle when shopping for new cars. I also intend to discuss this with as many people as possible to make sure they are aware of your actions. I am very disappointed and hope you will reconsider this decision.
September 29th, 2006 at 3:07 pmO GM Where Art Thour Senses and Sensibilities
Thou Just convinced me to trade away all things GM
And suddenly even Ford looks a lot better company to be in
Perhaps this is to serve as a management lesson
On how to piss off atleast 1/2 your American customers
And Lose out on the rest of the world market
not just becuase of quality but also because how stupid you can get
And manage with one lil action to show the world
Why GM will never get its act together
Having said that I am a firm believer in free markets, so let the bells ring..my bet is that GM stocks and car will now benifit from this brilliant move..way ahead of its time
September 29th, 2006 at 3:08 pm#126, You are incorrect (again), Spudge:
ABC ‘PATH TO 9-11′ TOP RATED SHOW OF MONDAY NIGHT… 8.3 RATING/12 SHARE FOR ABC MOVIE, BEAT ‘CSI: MIAMI’ [6.8/11] AND NBC 9-11 ‘DATELINE’ [3.7/6].
You are confusing NBC’s Sunday Night Football, which beat Part I of “The Path to 9/11/”
Part 2 on the following night, as you can see, was the highest rated broadcast that evening.
We accept your retraction.
September 29th, 2006 at 3:08 pm….I’m getting a little misty…Barfly—I love you, man!!!!
Comment by Exley — September 29, 2006 @ 2:58 pm
Wait until you read it, you might want to put off sending me flowers just yet. But the rest of the TP’ers will no-doubt shake their heads with recognition at your methods of “debate,” 0-6.
September 29th, 2006 at 3:09 pmBarfly,
September 29th, 2006 at 3:10 pmI think Exley’s ego just inflated his head to a new hat size. No matter how bad his stupid and misinformed posts will him look, he will take this as a victory because someone is actually paying attention to him other than his pet rat.
You aren’t getting anything from me. Path to 911 was a complete flop and nobody believes you. Lying right wing hack.
You can have my retraction down your throat. It’s attached to the end of my fist.
ANd no, that isn’t more liberal hatred, since I am not liberal.
September 29th, 2006 at 3:10 pm105 from 91, What can we do? I haven’t a clue. Protest. Write to your newspaper. Boycott something or someone? But then again doing any of these may get you nabbed as an Enemy Combatant. Heck, I’ve got the radio on now and CNN didn’t even mention that Habeas Corpus is gone. And they’re the most trusted name in news. So maybe I’m the one who’se crazy. Maybe I’m living a Twilight Zone episode and only I know that something integral to the functioning of our country was here yesterday but gone today.
I guess all you can do is sit silently in your house and push your furniture up against the door….Because eventually they’ll be coming for YOU.
September 29th, 2006 at 3:10 pmMy letter:
Dear Mr. Wagoner,
This is a real email. Not something generated by a computer.
I’m in my early 30s, and come from an all american car driving family. I have been driving Chevy’s since 1994 and love my 99 Camaro. I was excited to hear about the plans for the new Camaro, and hope to buy one when it comes out.
I must say that I was very disapointed to hear that you hired right-wing commentator Sean Hannity to be a spokesman for GM. Regardless of how you feel about many of the issues facing our country, it is self-evident that Mr. Hannity is a nasty, partisan, bullying voice in our political conversation. I would be equally disapointed if you hired Michael Moore or Anne Coulter or any other political activist to represent GM.
Sean Hannity is a very negative figure, one who makes a living ridiculing and threatening non-republicans (who, I believe are actually a majority of the U.S. population.) I assume this decision was made in ignorance. Frankly, it appears as if GM is making an endorsement of the republican party.
Again, it is clear to anyone that has listened to Hannity’s show that he is a right-wing political activist, one who earns a living by questioning the patriotism of folks who don’t agree with him (myself included), and a very, very poor choice to signal that General Motors makes cars for ALL AMERICAN’S. Not a good thing for a company that claims to be ‘Driving Diversity’ on it’s website.
Please reconsider this decision. I believe it will misinterpreted by many people, and could repel more folks than it attracts.
September 29th, 2006 at 3:11 pmWe should all write to GM’s CEO asking him to remove Hannity from the campaign. While this probably wont do anything it’s a start! Here is what I wrote if you want to send the canned email to him:
Mr. Wagoner,
I think it is unfortunate that such a great car company, in which you
are the chairman of, would choose a partisan talking head to be the
spokesperson for one of your advertisement campaigns. The hiring of
Sean Hanity to promote GM cars in a patriotic themed commercial,
rubber
stamps Mr. Hannity’s comments, many of which question the patriotism
of individuals and political groups who do not agree with his
political views. While it is Mr. Hannity’s Constitutional right as an
American citizen to question his ideological foes, it should be
unacceptable for a American car company (whose prime goal should be
selling cars and not political views) to stand by, while it’s
representatives do just that.
I, along with many of my fellow citizens, sincerely plead to you that
Mr. Hannity is replaced with a spokesperson who more closely
represents the strong ideals that GM has held for the past 100 years.
Since many of your consumers strongly disagree with Mr. Hannities
views, we will unfortunately have no choice but to look to other car
companies during our next car purchase. We hope that you will see that
Mr. Hannity, while being successful as conservative talking head,
surely does not serve as the best representative to your company.
Sincerely,
September 29th, 2006 at 3:11 pmHellinabucket, How can I NOT love somebody who spending all their free time and energy to put together a project dedicated to me???? It certainly shows Barfly has become fascinated by me and (dare I say? )an admirer of mine.
So, the answer is, “Yes.” Yes, I love that crazy little poster known as “Barfly!”
September 29th, 2006 at 3:13 pmWhat do you expect from the company that killed the electric car and a company that has yet to understand what being one step ahead of the Japanese means. Only a few days ago they decided they need to build MORE Hummers. Just what America needs- more Hummers and more Hannity. Insanity!
September 29th, 2006 at 3:14 pmWe accept your retraction.
Comment by Exley
I think Exley’s going off the deeper end. He’s refering to himself in plural.
September 29th, 2006 at 3:14 pmDlet! Don’t discourage “the ‘Fly.”
September 29th, 2006 at 3:15 pmExley,
September 29th, 2006 at 3:17 pmNo worries. It’s a done deal. You’ll get your “dedication”. Don’t know where he found all that time though.
I sent an email. Glad I’m not driving a GM car. I find it highly offensive for Rosa Parks’ name to be mentioned in anything even remotely connected with the likes of Sean Hannity.
September 29th, 2006 at 3:18 pmHere’s what I sent-
Hi! I just heard that you hired Hannity to promote your giveaway. I’ll be buying Ford products for the rest of my life if I see him promote anything associated with your Company. I feel he is not an appropriate spokesman for any product, and assume that his hiring is an endorsement of his anti-freedom views. This country is at war, and this kind of polarizing person works against the constitutional democracy we live in.
September 29th, 2006 at 3:18 pmJust sent this to Mr. Waggoner:
Dear Mr. Waggoner:
I am a loyal Chevy buyer for over 25 years. I currently drive a Chevy pickup and my daughter drives a Lumina. I also have GM affinity card. But if you go forward with using Sean Hannity as a GM spokesperson, I will never consider another GM purchase. This is distressing since I have about $2,400 on my GM program towards my next purchase.
Sean Hannity is a partisan “hack†and associating your company with him is very disappointing.
Respectfully,
September 29th, 2006 at 3:18 pmSpudge….“You can have my retraction down your throat. It’s attached to the end of my fist.”
So much anger…Tsk, tsk….Wait a minute….I think I know what this is all about….Are you jealous because I told Barfly I love him???? Awww, come on, Spudge! Just because I said I love the ‘fly doesn’t mean I don’t love you too!
When I correct your mistakes, it’s BECAUSE I love you. I hate to see you repeating the same misinformation over and over and over again…I feel bad for you when I see you do that. So, when I correct you, I am doing it for your own good….Okay???? Now, let’s see a smile….C’mon! Turn that frown upside down!…There ya go!!!! Don’t you feel better????
September 29th, 2006 at 3:21 pmThe GM rah rah job is too small for Sean Hannity. He should be Bush W’s press secretary to replace Tony Snow because this radio-TV talk show host is so fiery and combative. Of course that is not going to happen because Tony is enjoying his spokeman job right now matching wits with White House reporters. There is never a dull moment for both guys. As they say, where there is smoke there is fire. — Gene, Los Angeles
September 29th, 2006 at 3:22 pmAny American buying a Toyota or Honda can do so without serious guilt, they are mostly assembled in the US and Toyota has an engine plant being built (or online) in Texas. In addition, “American†cars have considerable foreign content. My son is still driving the Avalon that I purchased in 2000 and neither of us has had any problem with that car. My current Prius was assembled in Japan, but Toyota is moving hybrid assembly to the United States. Drive trains will be manufactured in Japan until they can set up the facilities in the United States. Toyota has been exporting US built cars to Europe for many years. The keys are quality control, a continuous design process and “hold the line†production changes for essential problems – not on a model year basis. Go to a library and check an April issue of Consumer Reports (A product of the Consumers Union, U.S., Inc. – an independent testing organization with no commercial links – this post does not infer C.U. endorsement of any manufacturer.) for quality and reliability comparisons of all manufacturers. Better, yet, subscribe, if all Americans made intelligent buying decisions, our commerce can only improve. In one case, I found out that I had a fire hazard type recall on a dishwasher before the manufacturer informed me directly.
September 29th, 2006 at 3:23 pmI just sent this email in:
I may have had some doubts about buying from GM before but it is a certainty now. You hire a fox news commentator who has only a high school education and speaks as if he barely got that and you expect to gain market share. Hatemonger, warmonger and fearmonger. You have got to be kidding. The GM stock I hold now will be sold shortly if this happens. And I would suggest firing whoever thought of this.
In Iraq we make a mistake and make it worse with each decision. Only a republican could make your situation worse. And you certainly got one here. The rich are not buying your cars – maybe the rednecks but also to middle class which has been treated like dirt by this admin. So good luck.
It will be nice to see you go down now.
September 29th, 2006 at 3:23 pm#155 Dlet, Phew!!!!
September 29th, 2006 at 3:23 pmSo, the answer is, “Yes.†Yes, I love that crazy little poster known as “Barfly!â€
Comment by Exley — September 29, 2006 @ 3:13 pm
What does that say about you? That a “crazy little poster” bests you on a regular basis? The Chronicles will also list in order every slip and stumble that led to your current 0-6 underdog status. Smile, you’re on TP camera!
September 29th, 2006 at 3:23 pm150. Now that you’ve expressed your love for Barfly, how do you plan to show it? I’m sure if I cared to waste my time and search the previous posts on TP I could come up with examples that would show coorespondence that would be less than the love you are now professing.
September 29th, 2006 at 3:26 pmJust called and his secratary was frazzled. She actually finished my sentence before I could say what I was calling about.
Ha ha good work everyone, they seem to be bombarded with calls…from unhappy people.
Why not hire Lee Greenwood for heaven’s sake.
September 29th, 2006 at 3:28 pmI sent to contact on the GM website. This is email I got back:
Dear Ms. xxxxxx,
Thank you for contacting General Motors. We appreciate the time you have taken to write us. We apologize for any inconvenience; however, the promotional offer that is hosted by Sean Hannity is a promotional offered Sponsored by local Marketing Groups, which is a group of dealerships that get together to host events and local offers. At this time, we ask that you contact your local GM dealership’s Sales Manager to file a complaint. Again, we apologize for any inconvenience.
At General Motors, we strive to provide exceptional customer service. If we can be of any further assistance please email us or call 1-800-462-8976 between the hours of 8am to 11pm Eastern Time seven days a week. Thank you for contacting General Motors.
Sincerely,
September 29th, 2006 at 3:29 pmThe General Motors Marketing Team
http://www.gm.com/
#68
Dlet
Thanks for that Dlet.
Hopefully the lady Cathy T (#129) spoke to is right and this Hannity thing is not going to happen.
But if Jon Stewart played the commercial on his show -that means GM actually really thought about doing this – even if they decide not to folow through.
Very Strange.
September 29th, 2006 at 3:29 pmHannity has been known to hold one in his mouth till it goes soft!
September 29th, 2006 at 3:30 pmI spoke to Rick Wagoner – Sec. she claimed someome would get back to me. I am not holding my breath. I am a dedicated GM buyer – I am ready to PUKE!
We are negotating for a new Suburban – I told them I will be looking at the Sequoia and Armada this weekend.
I am pissed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 29th, 2006 at 3:30 pmI don’t see any problem with this. GM should be able to hire whom ever it wants for it’s spokesman.
September 29th, 2006 at 3:32 pm# 170, Now that you’ve expressed your love for Barfly, how do you plan to show it? …It’s a good question…I dunno. Maybe just go on as I have been going…I like to think I have never gotten “personal” or “nasty” with anyone here (Well, there’s one person!)…I like to engage in debate with my ideological opponents and correct the rather considerable amount of misinformation I see posted here on an almost daily basis. So, I will go on doing what I am doing, being courteous and respectful.
What I WON’T be doing is compiling a list of Barfly’s previous postings. I wish him well on his “Chronicles of Exley” project. But quite frankly, I have better things to do with my free time than putting together a Barfly compilation.
September 29th, 2006 at 3:34 pmYOU SHOULD LEAVE THE GREAT AMERICAN CAR COMPANY ALONE AND GET A LIFT. THEY ARE TRYING TO KEEP THE AMERICAN DREAM ALIVE FOR REAL AMERICANS. I’LL BET YOU DRIVE A FOREIGN MADE CAR, YOU LIBERAL HACKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOUR VERY NAME IS A REAL JOKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 29th, 2006 at 3:37 pmYou disagree with the spokesman so you will let that sway your buying a car. That’s crazy. If a conservative said they wouldn’t buy a car because Colmes or Rhodes were the spokesman you would call them crazy too. Let me ask something. Anything in the Ad you disagree with? Did he slip in a “Bush is great.†You like GM for a reason. Why?
September 29th, 2006 at 3:38 pmI just called them. I think they’re getting quite a few calls………..
I’m selling my Saab.
September 29th, 2006 at 3:39 pmSent an email to GM reminding them of the day when GM was the industrial or commercial truck of the fleet. I reminded them in those days GM on a truck meant something so that a farmer or construction contractor could purchase one and have a known quantity.
September 29th, 2006 at 3:39 pmReminded them that Hannity had only worked as a “construction worker and contractor” briefly by his own admission and was no icon for people who earn their livings with their hands.
Dave+Von+Ebers “I don’t hate rich people, I’m just envious.”
Heh! We agree again!
September 29th, 2006 at 3:40 pmThe missinformation you speak of may come from individual posters but the initial posts by TP have been factual and I’ve noticed how you would change subjects and start debating any talking point you’ve been fed before but don’t respond when facts are placed in front of you. I’m sure you’ll keep doing what you have been and if you actually bring in facts I’ll go check on them.
So your love isn’t genuine? Were those words hollow?
September 29th, 2006 at 3:40 pmKevin, I don’t dispute GM’s right to hire whoever they want either. I just think it’s a poor marketing choice to hire someone from either political extreme. It is evident from the posts on here that just hiring Hannity has ensured that the liberals on this site have no intention of listening to the rest of this ad campaign/contest. The same would be true if GM had hired Michael Moore or Al Franken. Conservative blogs would have a post nearly identical to this one where conservatives state that they’ll never buy a GM.
GM, stick to non-political spokespeople. Doing otherwise ensures a portion of the demographic you are trying to reach will tune out before the first word is uttered. Also, do not use one your foreign brands on the All American ad. GM has 7 “US” brands. Pick the three for the ad from those.
September 29th, 2006 at 3:41 pmExely, the parallel between this and 911 are miniscule to say the least. This is sheer consumerism in action my brother. What reference to taxpayer funded events or public education does this have? Kevin, you are so right. And people should, sans libel and slander, be able to communicate to each other about anything in the market that thrills them, shouldn’t they? I’m sorry what’s the link to your blog again?
September 29th, 2006 at 3:42 pm#130 – “I do, however, hate conspicuous consumption. People who drive monster SUV’s, but have no actual need or use for them, drive me batty (like the lady I saw yesterday, driving the Pepto-Bismal pink Range Rover. ”
Comment by Dave+von+Ebers
*****Dear DaveESQ – It’s none of MY business how people choose to spend their money – so I don’t care about conspicuous OR inconspicuous consumption. But a Pepto-PINK Range Rover??? THAT’s just BAAAAAD taste! Ickkkk…. Then again, maybe she was a Mary Kay Cosmetics SUPER Star…..
September 29th, 2006 at 3:45 pm#183 Hellinabucket, “The missinformation you speak of may come from individual posters”
It is indeed the misinformation from individual posters to which I was referring.
And I respectfully disagree with you, sir. Looking at my postings when discussing issues like the War on Terror, I think you’ll see they are frequently accompanied by supporting documents, such as links to news articles and primary documents.
September 29th, 2006 at 3:47 pmI’m glad I just bought another Toyota – “F” GM, right wing prick sycophants that they are.
September 29th, 2006 at 3:47 pm.
186# was it the Pepto or the Range Rover that turned your stomach?
September 29th, 2006 at 3:48 pmHere’s the email I sent to Mr. Wagoner:
Dear Mr. Wagoner:
General Motors could NOT have chosen a more non-patriotic American than Sean Hannity to feature in your new ad campaign. He is so far right-wing and nasty, not conservative, that many people despise him.
Do you think this man is a decent human being?
Hannity defended Ann Coulter’s attack on the widows of 9/11 victims, whom Coulter described as “broads†who were “enjoying their husbands’ deaths.â€
If you want to sell cars, you’d better find somebody that people trust and who isn’t despicable. It certainly isn’t Sean Hannity. Why don’t you find an Iraq vet instead?
Sincerely,
September 29th, 2006 at 3:51 pmBill Ford is brilliant.
Get a jerk like Hannity to front GM.
that’s a smart man.
Quality is Job1.
September 29th, 2006 at 3:52 pm179 – Here is my reason and the e-mail I sent – I have a Brother In-Law at Ramstien and nephew in Iraq – We are paying the price for this war not this ass clown:
At a time when our nation is so polarized you would hire Sean Hannity as a spokesman? Sean Hannity represents the minority of Americans that feels this country is on the right track. He is an obnoxious fool who claims that all who are against the Iraq War are for the terrorists. Why do you think his and Fox’s ratings have been steadily going down – We woke up!
I am amazed that GM would consider him to be even a “Reasonable Spokesman”.
I am a proud American that feels people like Hannity are in part to blame for the breaking of our military.
I am also a life long GM owner -Cadillac Seville and DTS owner, as well as Suburban / Malibu owner. As are my parents and in-laws – career military people (Officers) who feel Hannity is bad for this country. We are negotiating for new Suburban @ Dan Young as we speak…I will hold off that purchase. I would be happy to prove my purchase record if requested.
I can not think of another person that would turn me off other than maybe Rush Limbaugh. I am beside myself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thru the all the bad press in Fortune and other magazines – I have praised GM while over looking all the little issues in quality. And pressing my friends to “Drive their Patriotism” I am 100% American owned.
Free Country – You can do want you want – As for me… I am going to look at the Armada and Sequoia this weekend. I am really mad about this one. I got my Catholic Business Men’s Club to re think Ruth Cris Steak House when they were represented by him…It is going to hurt me to speak out against GM
September 29th, 2006 at 3:52 pmDear Exley – Mr./Mrs HelllBucket thinks TP is factual??….I don’t call cherry-picking factual- we call that “convenient”…
September 29th, 2006 at 3:52 pm#186, Mighty Aphrodite…We are usually on the same page. But I cannot completely agree with you when you write “It’s none of MY business how people choose to spend their money” on the issue of SUVs.
SUVs in a non-work, urban/suburban setting are unbelievably wasteful of fuel. Thus, the irresponsible use of SUVs are a matter of concern to everybody! No one is more conservative and free-market than me, but I would have NO problem if the government severly restricted the purchase of SUVs. To me, it is a matter of energy efficiency and national security….
But hey! That’s just me!
By the way, Mighty Aphrodite, did you hear a TP poster is going to dedicate a whole thread to me????? If you play your cards right, maybe you’ll get the same honor!
September 29th, 2006 at 3:53 pmWhat’s the theme song going to be again? “Like a Dick”/ Apologies to Bob Seeger.
September 29th, 2006 at 3:54 pmIt’s time for another episode of GM DEATHWATCH no. 92!
Oh wait, wrong blog-site….
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com
September 29th, 2006 at 3:54 pm#188 – “F†GM, right wing prick sycophants that they are.”
. Comment by justfred
******Does “F” stand for “fred”??
September 29th, 2006 at 3:55 pmI personally think it’s pretty funny that one of the brands you can select for the ‘Great American Car Giveaway’ is a Saab. Saab is made in….Sweden! By Swedes! Not an American car at all. I own one and love it, guess I’m not a great American since I don’t drive an American car, even if it is a GM brand. I’ll buy a BMW next time since I’m pretty sure they’d never have to stoop to a cheap publicity stunt like this with a weasel like Hannity.
September 29th, 2006 at 3:56 pm#195 Fly+Man,
I gotta admit…That made me laugh!
September 29th, 2006 at 3:58 pmMY email –
Dear Mr. Wagoner,
I tried to reach you today to express my dismay with GM’s decision to hire Right Wing Bomb Thrower Sean Hannity to speak for your company, alleging that he is an exemplary representative of America. Obviously this was not very astute brain-storming on someone’s part. Why would GM, while facing serious bankruptcy problems, choose to alienate almost 65% of America? Can you really take such a risk at this juncture?
Sean Hannity is seen in the public eye as merely a male version of Ann Coulter and has not only sided with her opinion of the 9/11 widows, but with all of her other many rigid views. Thankfully the America that Sean Hannity and Ann Coulter embrace does not exist. I certainly hope GM would agree.
If it fact Mr. Hannity is appearing in a promotional offer sponsored by local Marketing Groups really makes no difference what-so-ever. As the CEO you should take the reins and put a stop to the demise of GM immediately, it is your financial responsibility.
If Sean Hannity becomes your spokesperson I, along with 65% of Americans, will never consider buying any GM products again. Furthermore, Rosa Parks is rolling in her grave…
September 29th, 2006 at 4:00 pm#187 I won’t be searching the backlogs for any particulars but will make note from this point on and hope you will do the same. I’m all for learning more but I won’t stand for ignorance of my points while your trying to jump to another point.
#193 What’s this we shit. You got a mouse in your pocket? Talking about selective. This administration turned down all other views of how to accurately execute a military mission in Iraq and then try to cover it up. Cherry picked information on WMD’s from one source (curveball). Hand picking people that can go to an event where the President is speaking.
September 29th, 2006 at 4:02 pmSure mightless,
Haven’t bought or even considered buying a GM car since ‘74. Toyotas only until last December then it was a Civic Hybrid.
Now, with a political extremist as their pitch man I don’t 1. feel bad for the poor, hapless GM and 2 Will never even consider GM for what will probably be my last car four or five years from now.
Send a letter to GM? Why bother. They knew exactly what they were doing when they hired Mr. Hannity. The facists are not buying new cars fast enough so GM gets this fascist raver on board to draw them in.
I say leave him there and let the idiots buy the junk. More of them on the side of the road might be interesting landscape.
September 29th, 2006 at 4:02 pmI was considering trading in my 1994 Toyota Landcruiser for a GM SUV but when I heard that Sean Hannity will be their spokesman, I have decided to visit my local Toyota dealer for a new vehicle.
Knowing and being reminded of things this GOP blattermouth has said in the past about those who disagree with Bush’s Iraq policy, GM using him to push their vehicles is an insult to me.
September 29th, 2006 at 4:03 pmScrew GM and Hannity. They are perfect for eachother in my opinion. I hope they both go down in flames.
September 29th, 2006 at 4:03 pmImagine this: a loser product with a loser spokesperson.
September 29th, 2006 at 4:04 pmI will NEVER buy GM.
September 29th, 2006 at 4:06 pmWhat I WON’T be doing is compiling a list of Barfly’s previous postings. I wish him well on his “Chronicles of Exley†project. But quite frankly, I have better things to do with my free time than putting together a Barfly compilation.
Comment by Exley — September 29, 2006 @ 3:34 pm
Because any compilation would show just how regularly you get chumped for weak assertions, distortions, and just plain lies. I can see why you’d be worried, and try to cover it with false bravado; you’re basically a coward, and I could care less if you wish me well – I wish you’d apologize for lying, but since it’s clearly a psychological problem with you, I won’t hold out any great hope.
Have fun.
I am.
September 29th, 2006 at 4:08 pmDear Exley – Congratulations, you celebrity, you!!!!!! The most fun is watching you prick their arguments like an over-inflated balloon – or the morbidly fat guy in Monty Python “Meaning of Life”.
We’ll have to agree to disagree on SUV’s. I don’t drive one because I don’t want or need one (On weekends we are usually are heading in two different directions – a little “Mickey” to a game and a little “Minnie” to a birthday party.) But if I CHOSE to spend my money on something many consider “irresponsible” or “selfish” that isn’t anyone’s business. If we achieve 100% utilization of alternative energy for our autos – we would still need oil to refine as diesel for the big rigs – until that technology can be improved upon. I’ll give you a luke-warm cheer for being a luke-warm free marketeer, (just kidding!!) but a BIIIG HOORAY for your concise and cogent arguments posted here at TP – Keep up the great work!!!!
September 29th, 2006 at 4:10 pmI would have never bought a GM product anyway, but now I wouldn’t take one if they paid me…Hannity is one of the biggest a-holes on TV. GM what were you thinking? Oh, I get it you weren’t…I bet p*ssy Bill O’Reilly is crying because they didn’t pick him.
I love my Mazda – Zoom Zoom – GM’s motto could now be DOOM DOOM
September 29th, 2006 at 4:13 pmMr. Wagoner is not going to read your e-mail, April. Another thing, I don’t see how bitching about sean hannity speaking for gm has anything to do about thinking for progress. Why I do not vote.
September 29th, 2006 at 4:14 pmPoor MA.
Get your own truth-squad; I’ve got my hands busy, just listing Exley’s lies.
September 29th, 2006 at 4:17 pmDear Mr. Wagoner:
I was very disappointed to learn that GM had hired such a controversial “fringe” person as Sean Hannity to be its spokesman.
Mr. Hannity certainly doesn’t speak to or for me. I don’t call Americans of any political party “terrorists”. Although I believe the process that we all participate is worth fighting and dying for, I would never urge anybody, under any circumstances, to “die” to beat a particular political party.
I am going to trade in my car in the next month and I assure you my next car will not be GM. I am sorry, becasue I really liked my Escalade but because GM has chosen to use this hard right extremist as its representative, I’ll be looking elsewhere.
September 29th, 2006 at 4:18 pmThis is the best GM can do ? Might as well close the door and turn off the lights.
September 29th, 2006 at 4:20 pmYes, I am angery and for good reason. I am tired of snot nosed little pieces of crap like you. I hope you and your republican buddies turn back the hands of time to the dark ages, so I can get rid of you bastards the way you deserve it.
September 29th, 2006 at 4:21 pmDear Ms. Bucket – Obviously you are a SELECTIVE “cherry-picker – you gotta love the irony…..Do you believe that the NYT coverage of the National Intelligence Estimate:
a.) cherry-picked to bolster the NYT anti-Bush bias.
b.) as always, “ALL the news that’s fit to print”
FYI – Sometimes it’s best to just stop “peddling” while you’re sooo far behind…..
September 29th, 2006 at 4:22 pmI wrote this one:
Dear Mr. Wagoner,
I’m letting you know right now, that I had had thoughts of buying a GM car recently, but you helped me make my decision not to buy, by picking Sean Hannity as spokesperson for “you’re a great American” car giveaway campaign.
To have his name associated with your product, or with “a great American” is certainly the antithesis in values both for your company and of America.
You would be wise to cut this person as one of your spokespeople, for his values are not mine, Americas or worthy of selling an American product.
Please reconsider this promotion event at least with this Anti-American values person.
September 29th, 2006 at 4:25 pmThe most fun is watching you prick their arguments like an over-inflated balloon – or the morbidly fat guy in Monty Python “Meaning of Lifeâ€.
His name is Mr. Creosote. Please be more respectfull. Mint?
September 29th, 2006 at 4:28 pmThe most fun is watching you prick their arguments like an over-inflated balloon – or the morbidly fat guy in Monty Python “Meaning of Lifeâ€.
His name is Mr. Creosote. Please be more respectful. Mint?
September 29th, 2006 at 4:31 pm#213 Thank you, Mighty Aphrodite….It is indeed a pleasure to be so honored!
Have a good weekend, MA!
September 29th, 2006 at 4:31 pmI guess that would be the same bias that kept the warrantless wiretapping program quiet for a year, so Bush could get reelected in 2004. That is some bias. I wish somebody had that kind of bias against me, I would be rich.
September 29th, 2006 at 4:31 pmCalled Ricks office and the sec answered, even before I could say a word she said if this is regd Hannity, pls leave your name/number and you will get a call!
It does seem she is getting quite a few calls
September 29th, 2006 at 4:32 pm#212…. Barfly, I look forward to your tribute to me. Enjoy your weekend putting it together.
September 29th, 2006 at 4:33 pmMighty Aphrodite…”(Can you imagine how NUTS she’d really sound if she didn’t do all that floor rolling???)”
VERY funny!
But don’t be too hard on Spudge…He’s a good kid.
September 29th, 2006 at 4:35 pm#223 How can either side state they know when only a small redacted portion has been released. Fairly premature of you to state one side has cherry picked and the other hasn’t.
Do you honestly think the NYT is the only one that has brought it up? are you so insecure that you will latch onto the first talking point (i.e. lib news so it has to be a lie) and hold on until a new talking point hot button is pushed.
There is no concrete evidence on either side but picking sentences out of the NIE released is in no way shape or form cherry picking.
Bullet point on the NIE:
We assess that the operational threat from the self-radicalized cells will grow in importance to US counterterrorism efforts, particularly abroad but also in the Homeland.
No cherry picking, it’s the complete point put out by the collective agencies. The threat will grow. do you see that statement right in front of your puss? Nothing picked out of context. the threat will grow so when the president, vice president and the gang spout the threat is not growing someone is lying. May be hard for that to shatter into your “got to believe Bush” brain but it is the assessment of the people in charge of keeping us safe long after this shrub goes back to pulling shrubs full time.
You can keep you grandiose snobbery, in fact, I find it humorous. But I’ll smack you down anytime you start to actually discuss a fact. Understand Jack
September 29th, 2006 at 4:35 pmRick Wagoner:
I cannot think of many other people who would NOT make me want to buy a GM car than Sean Hannity. Using that chickenhawk with his phony patriotism is just what GM does NOT need at this point in time. I personally think the general mood of the country will make this backfire on you.
You are an American car company and are a major economic influence in my hometown – Dayton, Ohio. But I will never buy one of your vehicles as long as you have Sean Hannity or any other divisive political figure heading up one of your campaigns. And that goes for the politically-divisive left wing as well as the politically-divisive right wing.
If you really want to sell more cars and trucks, improve the fuel efficiency and durability of your vehicles. Also develop alternative fuel vehicles. That’s what I look for in the vehicles I want to buy. I have looked for this factor in a vehicle since the 1970s. GM and other American car companies didn’t get it back then and you suffered. You just might suffer with this tactic instead of following the true patriotic path – being daring and creative like we were with the space program. That’s how America succeeds. It doesn’t succeed by using some phony advertising gimmick like Sean Hannity. The American people are waiting.
Good luck in turning your fortunes around, but I seriously do not think this is the way to succeed. It won’t work with me.
GO Buckeyes!
September 29th, 2006 at 4:39 pmOhhh Spudgey – -Let’s put the NYT “bias- for Bush” rumour to bed – once and for all….Just tell me the LAST Republican they endorsed for President.
FYI – Punchy and Keller wanted to put the story out long before they did – but their crack legal team couldn’t agree…..Don’t ask me how I know – I’d have to kill you…..
Now go have a Friday TGIF Margarita – and calm down…..Have more than two or three and you won’t feel the thumbtack while you’re ROTFL.
September 29th, 2006 at 4:39 pmDear Mr. Wagoner,
Choosing a divisive, controversial, anti-American such as Sean Hannity to be the public face of GM is one of the most insensitive and counter-productive PR steps I’ve ever seen a supposedly savvy corporation take.
It’s really mind-boggling to think that GM or it’s PR firm is so out of touch with political personalities that it would align itself with someone on the tin-foil hat fringe.
One of the basic rules of public relations is not to needlessly involve a company in highly partisan controversies. The most superficial examination would have revealed that a great many people consider Mr. Hannity a vicious person, and reams of material is easily available to support that belief. GM could have chosen a non-controversial, non-divisive spokesperson, but the company’s failure to do so leads me to believe GM’s decision makers are incompetent.
I push “Buy American” pretty hard, but you make it hard to defend that.
Sincerely,
September 29th, 2006 at 4:39 pmEither I am COMPLETELY out of touch with the political atmosphere of America (and I may well be,) or GM is out of their collective minds.
September 29th, 2006 at 4:43 pmWell, I guess you aren’t aware of how magazines, newspapers and web sites work. What the bosses say has nothing to do with anything else. You know the people called the “editorial team” You do realize that it is not a “team” right.
Don’t ask me how I know or I’d be happy to kill you.
September 29th, 2006 at 4:45 pmFYI, y’all: you can also pester GM at their blogs. I provided a link. They may not post your comments publicly (they censor posts) but they’ll still get the message, I suspect.
September 29th, 2006 at 4:46 pmDear Mr. Wagoner
September 29th, 2006 at 4:51 pmI am in the market for a new vehicle and have been considering a Saturn SUV. I will not buy any GM product now that you have chosen Sean Hannity as a spokesman. How could you be so insensitive and unwise to choose as a spokesman someone who regularly questions the patriotism of half of America? Why would you choose an extremist, political partisan for the “You’re a Great American” campaign? Do you really want to mix a polarizing political element with GM’s identity?
I may be giving away my age, but I liked it better when you could see ALL of the USA from your Chevrolet.
Sincerely,
My letter to GM. Feel free to copy/paste.
Dear Sir,
I’m a SAAB/GM owner.
I assume you’re coming to understand that your choice of Sean Hannity as a spokesperson was a serious mistake.
What is so offensive, and downright odd, is that Mr. Hannity, and I can only assume by association, your company, would not find me a “Great American”, or even a patriot, due to my political party, and my disapproval of the policies of the current administration.
We all make mistakes — I am looking forward to you admitting yours, and to your retraction of Mr. Hannity as a spokesperson for your company.
Sincerely,
XXXXXXXX
September 29th, 2006 at 4:54 pmmy email to GM:
Just found out that Sean Hannity has been made a spokes-person for GM. This “actor” will not move me to purchase anything from GM. I have driven Pontiac & GMC pickups for the past 20 years and own stock. I sold the truck, selling the Pontiac, and the stock. I don’t want anything to do with Sean Hannity.
September 29th, 2006 at 4:54 pmI just called. The secretary asked right away if I was “calling about the Sean Hannity thing” I said yes. She asked me for my first name and my number. Someone is “Going to call” me back. Yeah. Right.
September 29th, 2006 at 4:56 pm#241 -”Why would I care what the hell my mom thinks? I stopped doing what she told me a long time ago. Do you still live at home and do what your mommy tells you?
The DA you dealt with this morning must have been a complete tool to lose an arguement with you.” Comment by, SpudgeBoy
******Actually, Spongey – The little “putz” at the motion hearing this morning reminds me of you: angry, defensive – and NOOOO sense of humour. (BUT he had a GREAT tie on!!!!!)
P.S. Your mom says she is no longer using the moniker SpongeMOM – She’s embarrassed by you right now, but she’ll get over it…. Mom’s always do…..
September 29th, 2006 at 4:56 pmI have owned four GM cars – starting with a 1956 Buick Special. The Special was superb with the understanding that technology did not include innovations that have emerged since. My next venture was a Chevy Corsair – the smoke bomb from Hell. You would have believed that it was diesel powered from the cloud it left behind and the gasoline heater was of no use unless I left all four windows open – clearly not a good feature in New Jersey. I left GM for a while, but Motor Trend rated the Chevrolet Vega as car of the year, and I, in my naivety, took the bait. After three years were up, the machine was belching smoke like a Texas power plant burning crankcase oil. Actually, that was what the car was doing. The best deal that I could find in dumping that car was for a Chevrolet Nova. All other dealers were treating Vegas as wrecks. Unfortunately, I later found that the Spanish translation for Nova (Doesn’t go) was extremely apt. So here I am, four purchases, three failures. Would you consider me a potential GM customer in the future?
September 29th, 2006 at 4:58 pmI think what someone should do is copy all of these comments and email them to GM – over and over and over and over and over again. Maybe they’ll get the message. We’re ALL great Americans. Either that or buy a truck and run over Hannity with it.
September 29th, 2006 at 4:59 pm#253 Corsair sb Corvair.
September 29th, 2006 at 5:00 pmI called {they asked for my name and number} we’ll see if they call back. I emailed the following:
Dear Mr. Wagoner:
I am shocked, frankly, that you would name someone as divisive and anti-American as Sean Hannity as your spokesperson for the campaign called “You’re a Great Americanâ€. This is person is a key tool in the neo-conservative/fascist movement in this country. Thanks in part to what hate and lies he spews, this country is quickly being taken over by Fascists. I urge you to look up the meaning of fascism. The principles that we believe America was founded on are almost a distant memory. The Constitution and the Bill of Rights have been destroyed. What is left?
Apparently someone in your firm thinks this liar will help you sell more cars. I believe you will be sadly mistaken. Even if you were to sell a few automobiles, is it worth the price? If so, you sell your soul and your children extremely cheaply.
If you are indeed someone who only cares about where the next buck is coming from, then you should be shrewd and consult Warren Buffet about some basic issues of economics. He has been outspoken on issues such as these, and yet I am sure you will agree he is a very successful capitalist. In the world that Mr. Hannity is pushing for, no one will be able to afford the automobiles you sell. Your market is mostly middle class, which I am sure you are aware is already rapidly disappearing. Many are one medical crisis away from a bankruptcy that they won’t be able to file.
September 29th, 2006 at 5:11 pmMighty, you so easily go off on your attacks of others but didn’t respond to the FACT I point out in #234. Easy to throw attitude around but hard to swallow proof.
The will grow. Do you understand the word grow? Maybe Mr. A can show you something about growing. Your mom knows
September 29th, 2006 at 5:12 pmHannity and GM, two pea’s in a pod if you ask me. Dumb and dumber.
September 29th, 2006 at 5:19 pmOk, Who is more stupid?
Wagoner ______
GW Bush ______
Do we have a new “Stupidest man on the planet”?
September 29th, 2006 at 5:20 pmMy dad works at GM HQ, I asked him to see what kind of response has been generated. Rick Wagoner has received 800 e-mails to his personal address and their callcenter has been “blasted with calls”. Good work.
September 29th, 2006 at 5:22 pmDear Ms. Bucket – I disagreed with you, already. Your side pointed to the NIE, feigned SHOCK, and said “OH nooooo, more terrorists are “created” by US involvement in Iraq…” Our side said, “If more terrorists are popping up – they’ll be easier to identify….AND kill” ….See, it’s just a matter of placating misunderstood, abused Islamists or purging terrorists….you seem to be on one side – I’m on the other….
September 29th, 2006 at 5:22 pmGM fully deserves to go bankrupt anyway for scrapping their EV program.
September 29th, 2006 at 5:26 pmDear Detroit Automakers,
Instead of selling shitty, ugly, gas guzzling cars that no one wants to buy using pathetic calls to patriotism, how about trying to make some great cars? You make trash. The only people that buy those things live in the fly-over states and don’t know better, or, are just conservative morons that disregard the power of their beloved market forces and buy shitty things with American flags on them. (Even if most of the parts come from elsewhere.)
Start with purging the old boring conservative white losers that manage your companies. As a rule of thumb, any gentleman that would actually be caught dead driving a GM, Ford, or Oldsmobile sedan should be on the short list. It’s not your workers’ fault they are given shit designs to crank out, so don’t go blaming the UAW. Finally, stick any notion of asking for a federal bailout up your ass.
September 29th, 2006 at 5:28 pmI think they’re just looking for a scapegoat for their upcoming bankrupty declaration.
September 29th, 2006 at 5:29 pmA few good jokes about the Hannity/GM thing, here.
September 29th, 2006 at 5:30 pmDear Mr Rick Wagoner
I am shocked beyond words that a company that pulled ads from Survivor to get away from contrevasy is now pulling in a divisive person as Sean Hannity to be its spokesperson.
As a business you have the right to do whatever you wish as long as its legal. And there is nothing illegal about your actions.
As a consumer I have the right what I buy be it cars or stock. With your decision to have Hannity you give me no option but to rethink GM totally in my portfolio. And it will be my choice to get rid of GM in all shapes and forms from my portfolio of cars, cards etc.
Thank you for your brilliant strategy in endorsing divisive politics and doing everything unAmerican in the name of American values. You have made it easier for me to choose cars, now that I dont have to ever look at one brand again!!
Thanking you sincerly for making car buying easier
September 29th, 2006 at 5:34 pmXXXX
#264 ignorance must abound in your family. This is the assessment of the agencies in charge of keeping us safe and the administration has been stating Iraq isn’t creating any more terrorist. Going directly against what was released. Not cherry picked and I’m not panicing like your posts suggests. It’s pointing out how this admin. is still trying to mislead us. You can disagree with me all you want but your disagreeing with a fact and that just shows your brain dead, knee jerk whiney ass mentality. If more terrorists are out there to be killed then why aren’t you screaming for a draft. Gotta get them kiddies ready for when the real war with Iran starts.
Back up your bullshit and call for unified sacrifice from all Americans. Start a draft, recall tax breaks, beef up the military and start thumping a collective chest. Instead you throw pithy shit words out.
Nobody wants to coddle any terrorist you crank shaft. You believe that then you believe GW didn’t do cocaine and was around in the reserves and didn’t get special treatment to get into the reserves and wants to be a uniter.
keep pushing your muddy aphroduddy but don’t expect anyone to take you more seriously than Carrot Top.
September 29th, 2006 at 5:35 pmWhat’s going on here? GM is a Republican company? Their new ad looks like it was written by a Republican propagandist.
September 29th, 2006 at 5:43 pmWhat’s with Hannity? Is he looking to the future, when no one trusts FOX for news, and he needs a new job.
He’s a professional shill anyway, so why not shill for the so called “patriotic” cars of GM.
This move by GM will be seen as one of the dumbest moves in marketing. It will go down in the textbooks. If you wondered what got GM to this financial bind in the first place it is now all becoming clear. With decision making skills like this, no wonder they are on the brink of disaster. Now they have cut off half of the market that could bail them out.
We should not contact Wagoner but the board of directors and stockholders. If it is time to save GM, this campaign needs to end before Monday of next week. They can’t stand anymore bad press. Better make sure somebody is at the office Moday cause Wagoner will need to call in sick.
September 29th, 2006 at 5:43 pm#273 Normally I just laugh at the ignorant blatherings. Kind of like when Joan Rivers says anything but when she ventures out into actual points and tries to defend it, debunk it I won’t sit quietly by. The points made back at her are more for the people who truly want to see change and growth instead of the constant fear factory we’ve been subjected to.
Don’t know if she’s christian, I seem to remember something about humility, but she is definately crazy.
September 29th, 2006 at 5:44 pmHannity is an OUTSTANDING spokesman selection!
The folks at Think Progress are the pieces of crap.
September 29th, 2006 at 5:47 pmMy e-mail to GM
grwjr@gm.com
Hannity
With decisions like this it’s no wonder GM is in big dodo!
Hannity is a PIG! how can you have this pig as a spokesman????????
Even more reasons to laugh at GM. You guys are pathetic! With a population of a couple of hundred million people you picked that PIG!
Ha Ha Ha! What a joke. I can’t even feel sorry for you!
You know 20 some years ago I stoped at a local Chevrolet dealer to buy a new car. The manager low balled me on my trade, and I’ve never been back to a GM dealer since. I still drive by them many times a day in my Subaru though. My Subaru went many more than the standard “GM ten thousand miles” without a major break down.
Have a great day!
September 29th, 2006 at 5:49 pm#278 Opinions are like assholes, eveybody’s got one. Your’s is starting to smell.
September 29th, 2006 at 5:49 pmDear Mr. Wagoner:
Well, as if G.M. weren’t already down for the count, you’ve really stepped in it now! Why in the world would you hire Sean Hannity as the company’s spokesman for the You’re a Great American Campaign? Are you and your fellow G.M. executives and board members so tone deaf that you are unaware that Sean Hannity is considered a rightwing radical, prone to extremist rhetoric and vitriolic invective on subjects of which he has little knowledge? Had you seriously considered following standard practice and using a model or entertainer? Why in the world would you pick a highly controversialm foul-mouthed pundit? Had you forgotten his histrionics during the Terri Schiavo debacle? Did you for even one moment consider that moderates, independents, progressives and Democrats might take great offense?
Perhaps it may interest you to learn that each and every time Sean Hannity poses as your spokesmodel, you are further alienating the vast majority of Americans who are totally fed up with the rants and ravings of the lunatics on the right. But I guess you’re so busy attending country club functions and golf outings that you’ve failed to read the political polls wherein the public makes itself perfectly clear that it’s fed up with politics as usual and considers — by a 3 to 1 margin — that the country is on the wrong track. Nice way to sell more of your cars and truck — not. If you had plotted and planned to purposefully send G.M. once and for all to lose an even greater market share — you know, send G.M. swirling down the drain — you could not have come up with a more expeditious method.
Frankly, it’s no wonder that the Japanese are eating domestic manufacturers alive. The Japanese don’t pay their executives annual compensataion 477 times greater than the the yearly wages of their hourly workers, they properly design and construct their machines to run smoothly past the warranty period, and they don’t make bonehead moves like this latest p.r. stunt of yours.
You, sir, are a fool. The epitome of the Peter Principle.
Yours truly,
(name deleted)
September 29th, 2006 at 5:51 pmElk Grove, California
So much for that new ‘Vette that I was gonna buy. Thanks a lot GM.
September 29th, 2006 at 5:51 pmThe Lumina needs to be replaced soon- we won’t be getting another Chevrolet or GM product. I wrote to the CEO of GM (thanks for the easy link, TP).
September 29th, 2006 at 5:52 pmMy 1972 Chevy Corvette is for Sale. Numbers match. White/ Black interior. Power Windows. 4 speed.
For some reason a yellow stripe appeared on it this morning and crap came out of the tail pipe.
September 29th, 2006 at 5:52 pmI just went to the (vomit) Hannity website. He has this big advertisement about his GM car giveaway contest.
Interestingly, it says “Enter the Sean Hannity You’re a Great American Sweepstakes presented by General Motors.”
So if GM is claiming that Hannity is not and has not been on their payroll, either Hannity is lying (wow, imagine that!) or GM is lying.
Hannity specifically states his contest is presented by GM. GM stated that some of their dealers got behind his contest. If so, it would behoove GM to have their lawyers contact that little Hannity bitch and have him take their name off his silly little contest.
If my local Coca Cola delivery guy starts offering a 12 pack of Coke for every ounce of coke you buy from him and calls it the “Coke and coke Great Giveaway presented by Coca Cola,” you think the Coca Cola company is gonna let him get away with it?
It seems GM is involved directly with Hannity(Hannity, he who is a perfect example of why abortion should always remain a legal option).
By the way, to win one of the GM vehicles in Hannity’s contest presented by GM, you have to listen to the Hannity radio show for your name to be called. Then you contact little Hannity, then maybe you win a vehicle, somehow. I was too sick to my stomach to read it all, and had to close the browser ASAP.
GM is trying to get people to listen to Hannity. There are enough idiots in America already without dumbing them down further by enticing them to listen to Hannity’s lies and distortions.
September 29th, 2006 at 5:56 pmOh, I just checked the rules on Hannity’s Reich Wing Site.
Here is the FIRST RULE for the contest:
GENERAL. These are the official rules, (the “Official Rulesâ€) for the “You’re A Great American Car Giveaway†(the “Sweepstakesâ€). The Sweepstakes is sponsored and administered by ABC Radio Network, Inc., 444 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022, and presented by General Motors (Renaissance Center Drive, Detroit, MI 48265) (“Presenterâ€).
September 29th, 2006 at 5:57 pmOh yeah, BTW, here’s the e-mail that I sent…
—-
I am an owner of a ’98 Chevy Corvette. I am currently interested in purchasing a new 07 ‘Vette. However, I am quite dismayed that you have chosen to use an extremist and divisive political pundit like Sean Hannity as a spokesperson for your company.
Do comments like this really reflect the values that your company wants to express?
– Hannity said a Democratic victory in the midterm elections could be a “victory for the terroristsâ€
– Hannity said that “making sure Nancy Pelosi doesn’t become the [House] speaker†is “worth … dying for.â€
– Hannity defended Ann Coulter’s attack on the widows of 9/11 victims, whom Coulter described as “broads†who were “enjoying their husbands’ deaths.â€
– Hannity compared voting for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) to voting for terrorist groups Hamas or Hezbollah.
I seriously doubt that I will be interested in further patronizing your company if you continue using him as a spokesperson. Perhaps it’s time I looked at the Nissan 350z instead.
JV
September 29th, 2006 at 6:01 pmHere is my email to GM
——————————————————————————————
Rick
I think you have just immortalized yourself and will find a place in HBS as a subject of a case study. With you recent decision to pull in Hannity, you have managed to atleast cut down your potential addressable market by atleast 65%.
I am not certain if you, and the marketing genius’ at GM were trying to:_
1. Cut down the market size so you can focus totally on a small niche market
2. Just speed the process of Chapter 11
But in either case, I think you will have taken major strides in your pursuit towards that HBS case study and be immortalized in the annals of Corporate History.
You sir, have guts, that most could only dream of and your marketing team has creativity that would make Marques De Sade blush.
Congratulations in advance to making it to HBS Case Studies in the very near future.
Sincerely
MFB
PS – Given that I am but an average conservative American, the works/creativity of Sade makes me blush, as such I will be removing such fine pieces of art from my humble home.
September 29th, 2006 at 6:20 pmLeave it to TP to completely screw up the FACTS.
“GM Hires Fox News Mouthpiece Sean Hannity As Spokesman” – WRONG.
I guess if Hannity has a contest called “The Sean Hannity, You’re a Great American Car Giveaway, Presented by GM” that translates into TP-SPEEEEK as GM HIRES Hannity……You under-worked progs “brainiacs” are TOOOOO precious…..
September 29th, 2006 at 6:40 pmThis is one of those wonderful times when you realize you are not alone in the world with your thoughts. Just reading these postings have made my day. To know that everyone here today (almost everyone) is just a drop in the bucket of how America really feels about FOX News and Hannity gives me great peace. There will always be the village idiot so just ignore their comments like you do that proverbial drunk relative at a family reunion. I don’t want to mention any names, but her initials are Mighty Aphrodite…
Thanks for the laughs too everyone… ;O)
September 29th, 2006 at 6:40 pm“Then again, maybe she was a Mary Kay Cosmetics SUPER Star….. ”
Comment by Mighty A (No. 186)
I thought of that, but I couldn’t see the tell-tale “Mary Kay” sticker on the car or any other indication … so, I’m sorry to say, there appears to be no excuse whatsoever.
Anyway, I can’t stand that type of in-your-face consumption. Yeah, I agree, it’s not up to me to decide how someone else spends their money, but I don’t have to like it!
September 29th, 2006 at 6:50 pmOkay, you have our attention!
Since the posting on your site about the Sean Hannity show, we have
received hundreds of emails, phone calls, etc., with your opinions.
To clarify, we didn’t hire Mr. Hannity as a spokesperson and he is not
receiving compensation from GM for this promotion. What we are doing is
running a promotion on his show where Mr. Hannity is featuring three of
our newest products every week and listeners can register to win their
choice of the three vehicles.
As the head of Sales and Marketing for GM, my job is not to create
political controversy but preferably to create interest in our
world-class lineup of vehicles. Looks like we are doing a bit of both
with this promotion.
GM is the biggest advertiser in America and to tell our story we
advertise across a tremendously wide array of media trying to connect
with all Americans irrespective of ethnic, religious or political
affiliations. We just want folks to experience our products.
We want to reach you on the shows you listen to. Below is my email
address. Please let me know the shows where you would like to hear or
see our advertising – perhaps even a similar promotion to the one
currently being run on Hannity. We may already be on many of the
programs that you enjoy. If not, we will sure look at them. Also, if
you are interested in hearing more about any of our new products or our
business turnaround, we will be happy to address that as well.
I appreciate your views and I welcome your suggestions.
Mark LaNeve
September 29th, 2006 at 7:01 pmGM Vice President Sales and Marketing
Phone number: (313) 665-1357
email address: laneve@gm.com
mighty aphrodite,
This contest is being presented by General Motors, who hired Sean Hannity to be their mouth piece.
http://gm.abcrn.com/rules.html
1. GENERAL. These are the official rules, (the “Official Rulesâ€) for the “You’re A Great American Car Giveaway†(the “Sweepstakesâ€). The Sweepstakes is sponsored and administered by ABC Radio Network, Inc., 444 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022, and presented by General Motors (Renaissance Center Drive, Detroit, MI 48265) (“Presenterâ€).
This isn’t a Sean Hannity contest that he bought General Motors vehicles for. This IS General Motors trying to drum up business by using a right wing spin doctor.
Doesn’t matter how you want to spin it. Facts over ride spin any day.
September 29th, 2006 at 7:17 pmGM responds to the “outcry,” but…big deal. Translation of GMs response;
“We are out to put our advertising into every nook and cranny of your life. We are the biggest advertisers in America, proving we are accomplishing our goal. We are happy to be imbedding our ads within the framework of a “news show” with Sean Hannity as host. We have stooped to new lows in advertising with association with an avowed political partisan in order to hope to sell more cars. We will risk the wrath of one side of the political spectrum in order to sell cars to the other side. We do this either with no calculation or with acknowledgement that we do favor one political side or we don’t think very clearly when making these decisions and since we’ve committed our money we won’t change now. Of course there is the other point, that any publicity is good publicity because it is free.”
GM’s response is nothing more than another indication of the type of leadership that has turned American auto companies into left behinds. It’s far too much about the advertising, not the product.
September 29th, 2006 at 7:24 pmI won’t be buying GM.
September 29th, 2006 at 7:26 pm>
Well I doubt anybody is arguing that GM does not have the right to do this. The question is whether or not the decision is stupid, and whether GM is going to come to their senses.
I, however, will say GM should not have the right to do this. Corporations are treated like people, given the same rights. They, however, should not be because they have far more power to influence people. Advertising like this should be banned. I have no problem with any of GM’s board publically supporting Republicans. The corporation itself should not be allowed to.
September 29th, 2006 at 7:36 pm#291 – I thought of that, but I couldn’t see the tell-tale “Mary Kay†sticker on the car or any other indication … so, I’m sorry to say, there appears to be no excuse whatsoever
Anyway, I can’t stand that type of in-your-face consumption. Yeah, I agree, it’s not up to me to decide how someone else spends their money, but I don’t have to like it! – Comment by Dave+von+Ebers
*******DavESQ- I think we’re having a (gasp!!!!) “meeting of the minds”. Who Knew?????
Just the thought of a Pepto Pink Rover is nauseating enough without reminding me of animal print EVERYTHING, black velvet paintings and most things Las Vegas….JUST maybe she LOVES the colour – more than likely, hubby bought it for her and HE’S colour blind!! Ha!!!
So let’s re-cap: You can’t stand SUV driving yuppies with their lattes and I can’t stand violent video games, pornography, and fuel efficient “rice-rockets” with pounding bass. (Saw the cutest bumper sticker a while ago – “If I wanted to listen to YOUR music, I’d be sitting in YOUR car.”) But since ALL these things are a matter of taste – or lack of it – sensible people will have to vote with their wallets.
Have a good weekend!!!
September 29th, 2006 at 7:38 pmre #294
Mark, as VP Sales and Marketing you should understand why newspapers seldom sell advertising on the editorial page. Because most companies don’t want to be associated with editorial opinions that might be contrary to their customers.
This is true in talk radio as well. However it seems you have no problem associating your brand with the conservative right. (No guessing with Hannity…you know what the message will be..no surprises…all right all the time)
If you wanted to put your money where your mouth was you would be advertising heavily on Air America and progressive radio as well…but it seems advertisers are running far away from them. Why? Because their message offends some of the conservative “customers” in the world.
You can’t have it both ways. Support progressives with your advertising dollar and I would give you more slack. But until then…Ford looks really appealing.
September 29th, 2006 at 7:43 pmPardon me if this has been stated already…but did anyone notice that this contest is being run by ABC radio networks!!!!!!!!!!!
Unbelieveable!
September 29th, 2006 at 7:46 pmGM should not make Sean Hannity the face of its promotions. Contact CEO Rick Wagoner now and tell him to drop Hannity.
Exhibit ‘A’ Smear, censoring and intimidation.
More advocation of intimidation and censorship from the fascists at Think Progress. GM has the freedom in this country to choose what’s best for their company. According to liberals, those freedoms don’t apply to anyone they disagree with. Liberals don’t like Sean’s popularity and choose to smear since they can’t win on ideas. If only the left had a broadcaster as popular as him. ErrorAmerica jockeys are a dud.
Hateful emails from liberals in GM’s inbox? Delete, delete, delete, delete…
September 29th, 2006 at 7:47 pmAdvertising like this should be banned. I have no problem with any of GM’s board publically supporting Republicans. The corporation itself should not be allowed to.
Comment by Terrin — September 29, 2006 @ 7:36 pm
September 29th, 2006 at 7:53 pm
#298…The problem is that this isn’t political advertising because Hannity claims his show is merely opinion or news, not a political ad. For all intent and purposes we know that his show is highly Republican partisan. Political talk radio (right OR left) and TV couldn’t exist of course without advertising paying for the show in order that TV (or radio) makes a profit.
What could we do except ban all politics from TV/radio. Would this be good in a democracy? We know that unless we demand radio/TV to provide equal and free time to candidates, that corporate advertising will pay for political shows (and all programming for that matter). Without that free air time, candidates will always have to answer some to corporate America because that is too large of a pile of money for campaigning to simple ignore.
Until we severly cut the ties between corportions/media/politics we will always have plenty of imbedding (or is that in-bedding?) of advertising to political shows. I mean what’s the difference between advertising within the show or at the regular commercial breaks, very little these days what with product placement now all the fad. The only power we have in this is really no power. We can choose not to buy GM, but I don’t GM anyway, so wat do I do?
September 29th, 2006 at 7:56 pm#305
I don’t see a need to ban…but the intertwining of advertisment and spokesperson is of concern.
Hannity’s demographic is important for GM and I don’t condemn them for advertising on his show. But just keep a distance.
DO you see the Ed Shultz GM give a way? the Keith Obberman GM sweepstakes? The Al Franken GM lotto?
Advertise to the listeners…just don’t become associated with the editorial unless you can be absolutely positive the spokesperson appeals to a huge audience (think the crocodile hunter)
Nothing needs to be banned…perhaps the marketing fool who thought this was a good idea should be fired however.
September 29th, 2006 at 8:04 pm#302… A bit disengenuous about the left wanting to tell corporations what to do. There are any number of righties boycotting and protesting corps. For instance the boycott of Ford because they chose to advertise in a gay magazine.
Another example of our simplistic political discussions in America today is the accusations of one side toward the other without first reviewing their own examples. An old expression applies, when oyu point your finger you have three more pointing back at you. Check your hand next time you point. Being a hypocrite is an American right!
September 29th, 2006 at 8:10 pmIN RESPONSE TO
Mark LaNeve
GM Vice President Sales and Marketing
PLEASE FIND MY THOUGHTS IN ALL CAPITALS, SO ITS EASY FOR YOU TO SEE YOUR STATEMENTS AND MY RESPONSES
Okay, you have our attention!
Since the posting on your site about the Sean Hannity show, we have
received hundreds of emails, phone calls, etc., with your opinions.
ITS NOT JUST OUR OPINIONS SIR, YOU HAVE ALSO RECIEVED “CALL TO ACTION”
SOME PEOPLE I KNOW AND I HAVE MADE DECISIONS TO SELL OUR GM PORTFOLIOS.
To clarify, we didn’t hire Mr. Hannity as a spokesperson and he is not
receiving compensation from GM for this promotion. What we are doing is
running a promotion on his show where Mr. Hannity is featuring three of
our newest products every week and listeners can register to win their
choice of the three vehicles.
ITS NOT ABOUT PROMOTION ONLY, ITS ABOUR BRANDING AND AS VP MARKETING YOU KNOW THIS WELL
YOU ARE CHOOSING TO INFUSE THE HANNITY BRAND WITH YOUR IMAGE, AND MAY I ADD SIR, YOU HAVE SUCEEDED MORE THAN YOU COULD HAVE ASKED FOR.
SO CONGRATULATIONS ON A JOB WELL “EXECUTED”
As the head of Sales and Marketing for GM, my job is not to create
political controversy but preferably to create interest in our
world-class lineup of vehicles. Looks like we are doing a bit of both
with this promotion.
SO YOU REALLY THINK YOU HAVE SUCEEDED IN CREATING INTEREST IN YOUR CARS???
IF SOME OF US SELLING OUR CARS AND STOCK IS CREATING INTEREST IN YOUR PROMOTION, THEN AGAIN SIR, YOU HAVE SUCCEDED.
THE FACT THAT THERE WILL BE MORE USED GM CARS IN THE MARKET STARTING THIS WEEKEND CAN SURELY BE READ AS GREATER INTEREST IN THE “WORLD CLASS LINEUP OF CARS.”
GM is the biggest advertiser in America and to tell our story we
advertise across a tremendously wide array of media trying to connect
with all Americans irrespective of ethnic, religious or political
affiliations. We just want folks to experience our products.
DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE CONNECTED WITH ALL AMERICANS WITH GM’S BRILLIANT PLAN?
WELL EXPERIENCE YOUR PRODUCT HOW SPECIFICALLY? BY ASSOCIATING DIVISIVE, INSULTING, EVERYTHING UNAMERICAN EXPERIENCES WITH THE GM BRAND?
I appreciate your views and I welcome your suggestions.
PERHAPS A GOOD START WOULD BE TO STOP WRITING PATRONIZING EMAILS AND TAKE ACTIONS ON YOUR BRAND IMAGE – SOMETHING YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING ANYWAYS!
YOU SIR, HAVE LOST AT LEAST THIS ONE CUSTOMER FOR LIFE
Phone number: (313) 665-1357
September 29th, 2006 at 8:11 pmemail address: laneve@gm.com
More advocation of intimidation and censorship from the fascists at Think Progress. GM has the freedom in this country to choose what’s best for their company. According to liberals, those freedoms don’t apply to anyone they disagree with. Liberals don’t like Sean’s popularity and choose to smear since they can’t win on ideas. If only the left had a broadcaster as popular as him. ErrorAmerica jockeys are a dud.
Hateful emails from liberals in GM’s inbox? Delete, delete, delete, delete…
Comment by Fa Kin Su Pa — September 29, 2006 @ 7:47 pm
Where, exactly, has Hannity been “smeared”?
September 29th, 2006 at 8:14 pm#306…If I had my way, ALL advertising would be banned everywhere —in my utopia.
My local progressive radio show Peter Werbe, has an ad (run at advertisment break) where he is the voice of the ad for the store. He certainly likes the store, it’s a union-made store. I don’t oppose his opinion during the commercial, what I oppose is the commercial in the first place.
But this is America, we couldn’t have consumerism without advertising now could we?
September 29th, 2006 at 8:17 pm#312
I agree…It’s not that that spokespeople are not strong advertising vehicles…it’s just you have to be VERY careful who you pick and what the downside is.
GM had a huge downside…and they ignored it.
You see advertisers running to Tom Cruide as a spokesperson right now? Mel Gibson? no. why? they have baggage. Scientoligists would buy anything Tom Cruise would sell…but everyone else? You think there are a lot of jews who would buy a Mel Gibson brand of Vodka right now.
Spokespeople have been part of advertising for years…but with great risk. Wasn’t OJ SImpson the Spokesperson for Hertz?
Advertising is important in our culture. It does help generate jobs via demand. But there is a cost.
September 29th, 2006 at 8:25 pmFolks, I’m as liberal as they come, and I’m no fan of Sean Hannity, but I think this is much ado about nothing. If we all went around firing off email messages to companies just because of where they air the ads, we’d never get a minute’s rest.
Why bother with Hannity and GM? Aren’t there bigger, more important issues worth getting riled up about?
September 29th, 2006 at 8:26 pmThe GM guy is lying.
The GM VP said this: “To clarify, we didn’t hire Mr. Hannity as a spokesperson and he is not receiving compensation from GM for this promotion.”
Huh? Not a spokesperson? Here’s the article from MediaWeek:
Hannity to Pitch GM Car Give-Away
Katy Bachman
SEPTEMBER 21, 2006 –
To stimulate consumer interest in its line of American-built cars, General Motors has turned to radio and Sean Hannity. Beginning Sept. 25, Hannity will serve as the spokesperson for GM’s You’re A Great American Car Give-Away, offering radio listeners the chance to pick and win one of five GM vehicles.
One of the largest car give-aways by an auto manufacturer, “it is the largest car give-away in history by a national radio personality,†said Phil Boyce, vp of News/Talk programming for ABC Radio.
GM’s multiplatform campaign combines Hannity’s syndicated radio show broadcast on more than 500 radio stations, including 50 in the top 50 markets, with his Web site, where listeners will be directed to register their names. During his radio show, Hannity will announce one contestant’s name per hour. Listeners will have until 6 a.m. the next morning to send Hannity an email to confirm they’ve heard their name read on the air. The contest runs for five weeks through Nov. 6, when the final car is given away.
The radio promotion comes during a tough period for all automakers, which have been struggling to boost lagging sales. To manage costs, many automakers, GM included, have cut national advertising, while concentrating on local campaigns to drive sales. GM ad spending was down 17.4 percent overall in the first half of this year, while spending on local spot TV grew 11.3 percent, according to TNS Media Intelligence.
September 29th, 2006 at 8:30 pm#314
yes there are bigger things to deal with. My issue with this was I was in the market for a car. Had looked at a New Envoy (need 7 seats for carpool…sorry…have very few options) and then heard of this situation. As a marketing guy I was amazed at how GM could be so naive to think this wouldn’t cause a stir just before an election season…then I saw that the contest was run by ABC radio.
I have trouble boycotting ABC because my kids like some of their shows (and so do I). but I could boycott GM on a $40,000 purchase I was just about to make.
I’m concerned about this country and I’m concerned that the biggest automaker in our country is so stupid to align with someone like Hannity…I had to voice my concern.
That’s my right…and I’m sticking to it.
September 29th, 2006 at 8:36 pm#313..”Advertising is important in our culture. It does help generate jobs via demand. But there is a cost.”
Hell, advertising IS our culture.
We walk around with any number of ads on our clothing, we veg in front of advertised TV, listen to advertised radio, click away from ad riddled websites. We advertise in our schools, our political campaigns are all about ads.
Yes, there is a cost. We have become such an advertised culture we barely know what is reality and unreality anymore. What is advertisement, what is spin, what is truth in all this muck of advertised information?
September 29th, 2006 at 8:42 pmPeter,
Don’t get me wrong. I’ve got no problem with you voicing your concern, and you’re certainly well within your right to boycott any product that doesn’t meet your standards.
For me, this issue isn’t even on the radar screen. I’m far more worried about other things.
September 29th, 2006 at 8:47 pmWe worked for General Moters for over 40 years.
September 29th, 2006 at 8:53 pmGeneral Moters is Going Bankrupt, and we
will lose our pensions.
Sean Hannity is an anti worker, anti union, neocon
facist punk!
Don’t boycott General Moters.
Again, We worked hard our entire lives, and we
don’t want anyone to destroy our retirement, because
of this neocon facist punk!
thank you
Time to trade-in my GM car for a Honda civic.
September 29th, 2006 at 8:57 pmGM doesn’t give a hoot what you dummycrats think, you forget your the minority!
September 29th, 2006 at 9:00 pm#317
Agreed. Advertising is too much of our culture. But I think it is advertising Clutter that is to blame. I don’t think people complain too much if they get free TV shows for a nominal amount of advertising. That is a fair compromise. I just think advertising is intrusive when it finds itself on our urinal cakes. Please let me go to the bathroom without having to be exposed to advertising.
Technology is to blame for the significant influx of advertising clutter. Tivo and other DVRs allow us to scan right past the commericals. (I love it…but obviously the advertisers are not getting a return if we skip the ads…and without the ads we don’t get out free tv)
because we skip the ads advertisers have to find other places to reach us. product placement, sample give a ways, promotional products…anything…
And of course celebrity endorsements (spokespeople are another form of product placement…right on the lips of a celebrity in the context of his radio and T-V show)
SO advertising are throwing their ad dollars at anything that will stick…and sometimes they cross the line. In this case with Hannity they have crossed the line.
September 29th, 2006 at 9:08 pmToyota already pushed Ford to #3 in sales. Is GM pushing to become #2. After they recover from bankruptcy they may claim #1 in Hummers and other gas guzzling tanks.
September 29th, 2006 at 9:12 pm‘Sean Hannity is an anti worker, anti union, neocon
facist punk!”
Well then since all Liberals will stop buying GM due to this promotion, you will owe the support of your pension to the neocon conservatives. Time for you to swich!
This is really pathetic, companies really have no political affiliation people. They want to make money so their wives can buy $10,000 dollar dresses. They will pander to anyone who can make them the $.
September 29th, 2006 at 9:13 pmSpeaking of Fox:
September 29th, 2006 at 9:14 pmOlbermann ran the story tonight that the infamous interview between Dan Rather and GHWBush in 1988 was all set up and scripted by Roger Ailes.
In that one, GHWB had cue cards and Rather was seen as a rude interrogator, stepping over the line.
My, how times have changed. Now, Clinton defends himself (sans cue cards) on Ailes’ Fox-TV and Wallace is seen as the wounded party.
#319..Kevkev…
Boy, you’ve touched on how interrelated all this corporate advertised crap of a society we have evolved into. We work for corporations that hardly a one can’t be found to be doing something someone doesn’t like. They spend zillions sticking their advertised spin into our media (whoops, not OUR media, corporate media) in the belief that getting a few more customers over the competitor corporation will be good for the “team” we work for, thus our own self-interest comes into the picture because of income and benefits (or lack of them).
As a consumer (are we really citizens anymore?) we are deluged with 30 seconds of choices through the audio-visual media that supposedly is a good way to choose something. And with what criteria do we choose? Is it simply that the commercial is funny for a few showings or has enough butt-shaking going on? Or is it because we want the company to do well because we know someone who works for that company. Or is it because the company can agree with us, say that I might agree with Hannity viewpoints thus I should buy GM (I don’t agree). Or do we actually want a good product? And with all the advertised spin, what the hell is a good product anymore?
I’m not going to get all bent out of shape about GM and Hannity. The whole thing is nothing more than a product of our consumer society. We bought what we paid for, might be a description of what our society has become.
September 29th, 2006 at 9:15 pmDave is right, we dummycrats are the minority – unless you look at things like polls and election results.
September 29th, 2006 at 9:19 pmLet’s take Mr. LaNeve at his word and see how much money they’re willing to pump into the Air America coffers. I vote for Franken!
GM doesn’t give a hoot what you dummycrats think, you forget your [sic] the minority!
Comment by Dave — September 29, 2006 @ 9:00 pm
This comment doesn’t make any sense. What does the Democrats’ minority status in Congress have to do with GM’s marketing?
Jeebus, these rightwingers are getting stupider by the minute.
September 29th, 2006 at 9:50 pmThis news item about Sean Hannity must be a joke.
Are you aware that he LOATHES his OWN audience? Has any one actually listened to this chicken hawk before making this decision? I wonder if you are aware the he agrees with everything Rush Limbaugh says and Limbaugh has been on drugs for the last ten years.
I will never buy a GM product as long as this fraud is associated with their products.
September 29th, 2006 at 10:00 pmif you wanted to sell cars, would you pick someone who thought the world was coming to an end (global warming, cut and run, economic doom and glum, sky is falling, etc.) or would you want someone with an optimistic view of the future?
September 29th, 2006 at 10:08 pmif you wanted to sell cars, would you pick someone who thought the world was coming to an end (global warming, cut and run, economic doom and glum, sky is falling, etc.) or would you want someone with an optimistic view of the future?
Comment by paul — September 29, 2006 @ 10:08 pm
What an asinine question! What difference does any of that make to GM?
September 29th, 2006 at 10:14 pmHannity is not optimistic, he is delusional. There is a difference but, of course, a Republican wouldn’t know that.
September 29th, 2006 at 10:18 pmIn the words of Homer Simpson, D’oh!
September 29th, 2006 at 10:21 pmIf car companies stopped selling their product to people “who thought the world was coming to an end,” then we’d see far more evangelical Christians walking to work.
September 29th, 2006 at 10:22 pm#334…LOL!!
September 29th, 2006 at 10:24 pmI just bought a new Chevy Avalanche in 2005. After this Sean Hannity thing, I think I’ll buy new 2007.
Hinesville, Georgia
September 29th, 2006 at 10:28 pmRe: Dave 328
Does anyone remember the great actor Cliff Robertson* AT&T controversy?
(mid-80s, just after the breakup into baby Bells)
Robertson, who for ten years was a national TV spokesman for AT&T, (which won him the Advertising Age award for best commercial) was honored by SAG and the Congressional Record in Washington, DC for his brave stand against corporate corruption in Hollywood during the infamous Hollywood Gate Scandal.
Mr. Robertson was to the keynote speaker at the AT&T stockholers meeting during a strike by AT&T workers.
Robertson refused to cross the picket line and did not speak at the meeting.
AT&T and the shareholders wanted his head; they went out to destroy his career.
The public outrage was incredible, and Roberson stood up to Corporate America, and won a major lawsuit against defamation of his character.
That was then, and this is now.
Before Ronald Reagan went after the working middle class:
Unions were stronger, the morale of the public was stronger, and the corporations were weaker.
Now we have Sean Hannity to be a shill for Neocons,Corporations, and Facism.
A Big Dark Darkness came over these United States on 12-12-00.
The Supreme Court allowed the Bush crime family into the Whitehouse, and allowed them and their Facist Neocons too destroy this World.
*P.S. if some of you out there don’t remember who Cliff Robertson is:
September 29th, 2006 at 10:33 pmHe is notable for fine performances in PT 109 (chosen by John F. Kennedy to portray the then-Lt. Kennedy), The Best Man, Charly (an adaptation of Flowers for Algernon for which he won the 1968 Academy Award for Best Actor), Picnic, Autumn Leaves, Too Late the Hero, Three Days of the Condor, Obsession, J. W. Coop and Star 80.
More recently, Robertson appeared as Uncle Ben Parker in the first movie adaptation of Spider-Man, as well as in the sequels Spider-Man 2 and Spider-Man 3. He was also in the 2004 horror film Riding the Bullet.
I just bought a new Chevy Avalanche in 2005. After this Sean Hannity thing, I think I’ll buy new 2007.
Hinesville, Georgia
Comment by alfonz — September 29, 2006 @ 10:28 pm
Alfonz, why bother buying one when Hannity’s offering you the chance to win one?
Evidently, GM’s marketing strategy is a bit too nuanced for some folks.
September 29th, 2006 at 10:34 pmHannity’s a tool.
Now he’s a tool with an endorsement deal.
GM stock tanks…
September 29th, 2006 at 10:36 pmWhy isn’t Hannity enlisting and going to fight in Iraq?
September 29th, 2006 at 10:50 pm#334. nice!
September 29th, 2006 at 11:11 pmIt’s all about ratings. Do I spend my money with someone who has an actual audience, or flush it down the toilet of err america? Rhandi Rhodes? Or someone with listeners? Do I want to reach a bunch of moonbats living in mommies basement, or people with jobs that can affor my product? If you don’t know the answer, please don’t try to start a business, you’ll fail for sure.
September 29th, 2006 at 11:34 pmAir America speaks the truth. Former Republican here, retired CPO U.S. Navy, hilarious how Hannity thinks the military automatically supports Bush. Hannity needs to enlist and ride a supply convoy in Baghdad. Otherwise, he is, simply, a COWARD.
September 29th, 2006 at 11:57 pm#308
#302… A bit disengenuous about the left wanting to tell corporations what to do. There are any number of righties boycotting and protesting corps.
Think Progress is not coordinating a boycot. They are advocating intimidation, smear and censorship. Like I said, silencing the opposition was used very effectively by fascists in the last century. Those systems always fail. I don’t know why Think Regressive is advocating it.
September 30th, 2006 at 12:32 am#308
#302… A bit disengenuous about the left wanting to tell corporations what to do. There are any number of righties boycotting and protesting corps.
Think Progress is not coordinating a boycot. They are advocating intimidation, smear and censorship. Like I said, silencing the opposition was used very effectively by fascists in the last century. Those systems always fail. I don’t know why Think Regressive is advocating it.
September 30th, 2006 at 12:32 amMore advocation of intimidation and censorship from the fascists at Think Progress. GM has the freedom in this country to choose what’s best for their company. According to liberals, those freedoms don’t apply to anyone they disagree with.
Comment by Fa Kin Su Pa — September 29, 2006 @ 7:47 pm
—
Hypocrite… I have two words for you: “Dixie Chicks”.
September 30th, 2006 at 1:12 amFa+Kin+Su+Pa is the typical wingnut fool pinhead locked to the radio listening to Rush and Shannity, haphazardly repeating their talking points like a speed crazed parrot or monkey, either or.
He/she hasn’t figured out that Wingnuttery monkey shines are for clowns….
ROTFLMAO
September 30th, 2006 at 1:20 amInteresting. It seems GM is trying to invigorate their product line across “multiple” demographics. The Silverado pickup for example; sells wonderfully to a male 30-40 living in a “red” state. How best to get in touch with him? Why, through a right-wing neoconservative propoganda machine, orchestrated by a neoconservative tool.
Here’s an idea GM: How about in your effort to “get in touch” with the American spirit you give a whole-hearted effort to try and put actual VEHICLES on the market that reduce pollution. How about you start a REAL effort to get some of the ethanol powered vehicles that GM is having success with in South America up here to AMERICA! All of these half-assed moves, “GM is going in the direction of reducing pollution”, and still nothing of value to show for it. Bring a quality product to market, that will affordably help Americans actually save the planet, and your consumer base will pick up.
But until then, I will not be purchasing a GM vehicle, I can’t with good conscience patronize a company that uses ANYONE from Fox News as a conduit for sales. Sorry. And I was in the market too.
September 30th, 2006 at 1:21 amI can’t figure out if this is simply a bad business decision (i.e. yes, GM, we actually did notice) or if it’s a change in marketing strategy.
Even if this campaign was put together by local dealers certainly the decision to go with Hannity couldn’t have been made lightly. GM is directly connected even if only by a dotted line. I wonder if they’ve decided to follow the lead of Fox which I’d sum up as a deliberate effort to market to 30% of the public 100% of the time with an occasional plug here or there to save face.
Whatever the case it’s a sad day for GM and for all of us. General Motors certainly had the right to hire anyone they want to pitch their product but it’s sad to see an uncontroversial logo being turned into a symbol for partisanship.
Whether intentional or not, a move like this is the killing of one brand and the creation of another. – imho
September 30th, 2006 at 1:32 amDear Mr. Laneve:
Thank you for taking the time to respond to the reports that GM is hiring Sean Hannity to represent them.
Even though that does not seem to be the specific case, you really should consider the wisdom of GM being in any media environment where the host maintains on a daily basis that half or more of the nation are unpatriotic terrorist sympathizers.
We terrorist sympathizers buy vehicles too
Cordially,
September 30th, 2006 at 1:54 amWe terrorist sympathizers buy vehicles too
Cordially,
Comment by Tom Chapman
Priceless….
September 30th, 2006 at 2:13 amI’ll buy a KIA or a TOYOYTA before I buy a junk like a CHEVY or a FORD anyday
September 30th, 2006 at 2:40 amI would also like to add that I had the very same pickup truck as a loner while my AMANTI was being detailed and as I looked at the outside of the truck I was impressed and then I got into the drivers seat. What a dis appointment, this CHEVY pickup it seemed was constructed by a bunch of kids at a lego convention. All the interior door panels were loose, the dash was cheap plastic and you can easily tell it was just snapped into place. This is supposed to be a great AMERICAN product? This couldnt compare to a freakin YUGO. This is not the fault of the worker but rather the fault the higher ups !
September 30th, 2006 at 3:05 amI e-mailed Mr. Laneve and explained I had owned GM vehicles my whole adulthood, everything from sedans, vans, and pickups. I learned my brand loyalty from my father. However, I stated I would no longer buy GM products. When they put their reputation in the hands of a right wing hit man, my loyalty is insulted. Hannity insults 2/3s of their customers with his accusations of treason, anti-christianity and anti-americanism daily.
September 30th, 2006 at 3:53 amI won’t be a GM shopper any longer. What trash.
September 30th, 2006 at 8:31 amThis is more serious than a boycott — they are purposly attemtting to forment violence.
September 30th, 2006 at 8:59 am“I appreciate your views and I welcome your suggestions.” …
Well, Mr. Laneve, I suggest that you should consider how using such a divisive character to promote your product will affect you sales. I can only assume that your research indicated that “liberals” generally don’t buy GM products? Your boneheaded response to the research was to hire Hannity instead of crafting an advertising scheme to reach that group. I guess it was just easier to hire Hannity than do some work, right?
Personally, I would prefer to buy an American vehicle, but overall these vehicles are not fuel effcient, use lower quality parts, and require more maintenance than my Honda and Toyota. Liberals find it difficult to look past these major issues, so we generally don’t buy GM products. It’s that we don’t want to have a ineffcient, gigantic, disposable vehicle at a time of war, and at a point in history when the future of fossile fuel is in question.
So, what do I suggest? Don’t be so foolish in your advertising and marketing choices. Hiring Hannity is a slap in the face of any progressive that was interested in your products. Hannity has consistently and agressively campaigned to destroy the progressive cause by lying about it on radio and television. We don’t see Hannity as just another advertiser for GM, but as an intentionally divisive character. And, please don’t intimate that it wasn’t your intention to have this happen — unless of course you are an unseasoned sales person and you simply don’t know any better.
I have family that works for GM — the company is on the verge of death and little stupid things like this could speed up the process.
September 30th, 2006 at 10:06 am…silencing the opposition was used very effectively by fascists in the last century….
Comment by Fa+Kin+Su+Pa — September 30, 2006 @ 12:32 am
Which is why so many 21st-century right-wingers are attempting to do exactly the same thing to anyone who doesn’t agree with the failed policies of the Bush administration.
September 30th, 2006 at 10:24 amI sent this message to GM at their “contact us” website:
http://www.gm.com/gmcomjsp/contactus
Maybe a few more messages will help?
September 30th, 2006 at 10:32 amJust got online- ordered a “sell” of all my GM- only 120 shares, but I also managed to call GM and leave a message to tell them WHY.
September 30th, 2006 at 11:44 amhannity is a lying scumbag/ a sympton of what is very very wrong in this country.
I was up 17.7% and got in beofre the x-dividend date.
THANKS for telling U.S. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s so funny to listen to all the whackjobs in these comments. Right-wingers, Hate-monger, blah, blah. You act like Clintion was the perfect president and Bush is the worst. I got news for you. Neither of them are perfect. They both had issues. And I’d like to see any of you opinionated idiots try to be president. As for GM making gas-guzzlers….every car company makes gas guzzlers!! Toyota makes a gas-guzzler SUV called a Land Cruiser, go yell at them for that. They also make the Prius, which gets awesome mileage. Buy what you want or need, leave everyone else alone. Honda used to make a gas-guzzling SUV called the Passport, but they also make the Civic Hybrid. Hypocrites. Hannity isn’t evil and Hillary is not the savior of the US. They both have good and bad. You all are so funny. Get a grip. Just so you know where I stand, I am a Republican Christian who thinks we waste too much energy and should care for the environment more. More money should be spent on developing super battery technology and renewable energy and free high-speed broadband. Quit griping about Left Wingers and Right-Wingers and go help some needy person in your neighborhood who needs their lawn mowed or house painted. Help the drug addict who can’t seem to kick his habit. Help an illiterate person to read. Do something productive people!!!!! We’ll all be better off for it.
September 30th, 2006 at 11:59 amHannity is a lying scumbag- i work with a bunch of- _otherwise intelligent_- people who don’t know sh*t about what is going on in the world due to ‘watchin’ hannity and ‘lissnin’-a rush limp-bough.
September 30th, 2006 at 12:06 pmThey do themselves a great disservice by only consuming, passively, what validates their opinions- they think Eye-Rack is goin’ GREAT- hannity an’ rush say it……………………………………..
FoKKKs “news” is run by Roger Ailes, an old time political hack- it’s blatant propaganda disguised as “news”.
made in the good old us of sweeden.
hannity is a cancer on the body of the nation. he is why folks are confused about wmds and many more god’s own party bs propaganda postions.
September 30th, 2006 at 12:33 pmMy email to GM:
I read your comment at ThinkProgress about Sean Hannity. I’m a GDI and almost never watch any TV or listen to radio, as I find nearly all of it utter pablum. If you really want to reach people like me, I suggest you advertise at Internet websites popular with thinkers–the reality-based blogs, informational sites, newspaper websites, and so on.
You are probably best off running your promotions on right-wing media, as people of that persuasion are demonstrably easy to lead and deceive. If I could, I’d abandon car use altogether, a la Ralph Nader. Since I can’t, I’m determined to drive my Corolla for 300,000 miles if I possibly can, even if every last bit of paint has flecked off by then.
I truly feel sorry for people who must promote bankrupt values as part of their jobs. I’m sure it can’t be easy for you to keep on believing that what you do enhances the world in any way, although I suppose corporate pay and perks have their consolations.
September 30th, 2006 at 12:59 pmMy email to GM
Get a clue. If you want to reach the Hannity fans, fine, but then you should urge them to buy cars that are efficient. Better yet, you should make cars that are efficient….
Try being a responsible business in a overly polluted world. By making gas-guzzling cars you are asking people to give more money to Arabs (much of it funding terrorists). So who is the patriot, Sean?
You want to support the Arabs, then buy a gas-guzzler from GM. You want to be patriotic then buy a hybrid or ride a bike.
Looking forward to your reply,
September 30th, 2006 at 3:06 pma Patriotic hybrid driver
#284 Must be operator error. Are you a vet?
September 30th, 2006 at 3:07 pmAh, yes, patriotism–the last refuge of right-wing scoundrels and desperate, poorly managed corporations.
September 30th, 2006 at 3:38 pmI come from family who has never purchased anything other than a GM product. I’ve owned a Saturn for five years, serviced it solely at the dealership, and although I’ve been considering a Prius as my next car was hoping that Saturn would release their own non-Vue hybrid. I have had no complaints whatsoever with the service but I will not be spending another penny at the service dept of my Saturn dealership and they will be politely informed why.
Of course I anxiously await Ed Schultz’s component of this great car giveaway and advertising on shows like Al Franken, Randi Rhodes, and Rachel Maddow since the only radio I listen to is my local Air America affiliate. (Prior to Air America I did not listen to one minute of talk radio–and the addition of that affiliate in my city lead me to an immediate 180 degree switch from the other commercial radio stations that I was loyal to. And I do make a point to patronize the advertisers on Air America and note which local businesses are conspicuously absent (but do advertise during Hannity et al).
September 30th, 2006 at 4:19 pmwhy does Shawn Hannity love terrorists by pushing cars that consume so much gas and make us dependent on foreign oil???!!!
Viva the PRIUS!!!!!
September 30th, 2006 at 4:57 pmWe are averaging 50 miles/gallon!
Go Toyota
GM is doing their dirty Biz in Europa as well by rebranding Daevoo (South-Corea) cars with a BIG Chevrolet badge on them! They call them stuff like Matiz Kalos Lacetti Nubira Tacuma. This line is taken from Chevrolet Portugals websiite: Chevrolet, after restarting its operations in Portugal on January 2005, has been one of the fastest growing brands in the national market. Well if a BIG Company Restart an operation i guess only selliing 15 cars would have it “one of the fastest growing brands in the national market” And look at their Nubira! like a weak mix between SAAB VW & Mercedes. You carproducers in the USA really lost the plot a long time ago (HUMWEE LOL) please look at Citroen Air-Play or C-Lounge and You see what i mean. its about having fun/in style/safe and a great milage. Amerika Wake Up, all this talk about Patriotic and scaring eachodder it will lead 2 a unhelty end. GOD BLESS U ALL
September 30th, 2006 at 4:58 pmJust sent this note off to GM:
I appreciate your willingness to take emails from citizens concerned by this news.
I love my country and the truly beautiful ideals for which it stands:
liberty, real liberty, including the right to dissent
equality, for ALL Americans, not just those who look a certain way or worship a certain way or love a certain way
justice, as given by the crucial protections and checks and balances of our Constitution,
free speech without the threat of being illegally spied upon by our political opponents,
the right to vote in fair elections, elections that cannot be rigged by paperless e-machines,
the right to hear the truth from an unbiased media, not one that blatantly serves as a propoganda arm of the current administration,
the right to hold our “fairly” elected officials accountable for their deeds and misdeeds,
the right to a level playing field where the poor and middle class have a real chance to advance themselves and not be thwarted by unfair political favoritism bought by an entrenched aristocracy,
the right to know our elected leaders respect the courage of our young soldiers enough to put them in harms way based upon deliberate lies
When you advertise on FOX “News”, you are giving tacit support to those who oppose ALL these ideals, and who are determined to destroy our precious fragile democracy, and turn this country into the extremist, fundamentalist, militarily aggressive, anti-democratic regime that is is becoming right before our eyes.
Look, you have every right to be about making money, I have no problem with that, I do my best every day to do the same. But there comes a point when something emerges that is simply more important than just making money.
FOX “News” is without question an aggressive, lie-based, propoganda-driven arm of the current extremist anti-democracy administration. Ordinary people don’t have the time or the energy to sort through all the “news” daily, and this is exactly what FOX counts on to drive home their lies. A network like FOX can be extremely effective in advancing an extremist agenda under the guise of “news”. And to the extent you support this agenda by advertising on this network, you are contributing to the destruction of this most beautiful and country.
That should matter to you. I wrote this email because I want to believe it does.
Respectfully,
Anita Mabardy
September 30th, 2006 at 5:25 pmBoston MA
GM is the crummiest car company anyway. I would never consider buying any of their cars to begin with. I’ll keep my Hyundai and Mazda, thank you. Sean Hannity bugs me more than any of the Fox/Talk Radio jack asses and that’s saying a lot. At least one can laugh at O’Reilly, but Hannity is infuriating.
September 30th, 2006 at 5:26 pmmy email to GM:
I appreciate your willingness to take emails from citizens concerned by this news.
I love my country and the truly beautiful ideals for which it stands:
liberty, real liberty, including the right to dissent
equality, for ALL Americans, not just those who look a certain way or worship a certain way or love a certain way
justice, as given by the crucial protections and checks and balances of our Constitution,
free speech without the threat of being illegally spied upon by our political opponents,
the right to vote in fair elections, elections that cannot be rigged by paperless e-machines,
the right to hear the truth from an unbiased media, not one that blatantly serves as a propoganda arm of the current administration,
the right to hold our “fairly” elected officials accountable for their deeds and misdeeds,
the right to a level playing field where the poor and middle class have a real chance to advance themselves and not be thwarted by unfair political favoritism bought by an entrenched aristocracy,
the right to know our elected leaders respect the courage of our young soldiers enough to put them in harms way based upon deliberate lies
When you advertise on FOX “News”, you are giving tacit support to those who oppose ALL these ideals, and who are determined to destroy our precious fragile democracy, and turn this country into the extremist, fundamentalist, militarily aggressive, anti-democratic regime that is is becoming right before our eyes.
Look, you have every right to be about making money, I have no problem with that, I do my best every day to do the same. But there comes a point when something emerges that is simply more important than just making money.
FOX “News” is without question an aggressive, lie-based, propoganda-driven arm of the current extremist anti-democracy administration. Ordinary people don’t have the time or the energy to sort through all the “news” daily, and this is exactly what FOX counts on to drive home their lies. A network like FOX can be extremely effective in advancing an extremist agenda under the guise of “news”. And to the extent you support this agenda by advertising on this network, you are contributing to the destruction of this most beautiful and country.
That should matter to you. I wrote this email because I want to believe it does.
Respectfully,
XXXXXXXX
September 30th, 2006 at 5:28 pmIf you really welcome my comments…
…Then you will drop this ridiculous Sean Hannity thing and all your ill-conceived hot air promotions for gas guzzling dinosaurs. Your proposed ad campaign sounds like a metaphor of Neocon propaganda talking points on how well we are doing in our “war on terror”.
Engage the fantastic resources of real American know how, drop the phony patriotism crap and start making appropriate vehicles that consumers want and that are good for people and our Earth.
To paraphrase a previous GM CEO, “What’s bad for America is bad for GM”.
You are fiddling as GM burns.
Get to work. America needs you to do the right thing now!
Marshall Dobry
September 30th, 2006 at 7:10 pmEverson, WA
Before Bill O starts bloviating about his poor friend being blackballed He should be reminded about his asking everyone to write to Pepsi INC. and protest about Ludicrous (whom I never heard of untill then) becoming their spokesman. And guess what Pepsi dropped him like a hot potato. So we will see if Mr. Fallaful will be sticking up for poor old Hannity and see if this weasel talks out of both sides of his mouth. I think he prob does. I also sent e mail to G. M. They will never get my hard earned money if they pick politics over neutrality. Shame on them.
September 30th, 2006 at 8:26 pmDear GM,
Thanks for making it easy not to buy GM!
September 30th, 2006 at 8:34 pmLet’s just see how long GM will have on Sean Hannity before he open’s his pie-hole, but knowing these bung-holes it will not be long before he will say something stupid on his talk radio show or on TV that will make GM mad….for one saying that voting for Hillary Clinton (which I do not like because she voted for the Iraq war, which I opposed of course and many other things) is a vote for Hamas and Hizbollah…idiota’s…
September 30th, 2006 at 8:40 pmSomeone’s buying an Avalanche?
**weeping tears of laughter**
September 30th, 2006 at 8:43 pmYikes, Fox News, that gives great spin is now a mouth piece for GM. How about working on substance instead of a your spin.
September 30th, 2006 at 10:15 pmHiring Hannity is just further proof that GM’s management is out of touch. Another half-baked idea that is supposed to compensate for a lack of creativity and innovation. As the old saying goes, “If you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit.”
Next thing we’ll see is Ann Coulter hawking low-cost generic drugs for Wal-Mart.
September 30th, 2006 at 10:30 pmI’m done with Bush,Fox and now GM
October 1st, 2006 at 1:07 amYou guys are history!
Really scratching the bottom of the barrel, there GM.
You would imagene that a company involved in building internal combustion engines for 98 years would know the meaning of “backfire”.
October 1st, 2006 at 6:12 am*imagine* of course!!!
October 1st, 2006 at 6:13 amI wonder how the union workers working for GM feels about their decision? It’s like these repubics advertising their right wing radio shows on the back of Septa buses in Philadelphia. These right wingers want to eliminate subsidies for public transportation, and want to eliminate unions etc. They are so in your face. Why would Clinton or any Democrat go on FOX? Are we progressives stupid? I think we are just greedy cowards. We need to be in their face and up their a–with our American made boots
October 1st, 2006 at 6:15 amOh, so you’re not going to buy a GM product now? Come on…you weren’t going to buy one BEFORE Hannity had his giveaway.
Well you better get a list of all of the products that Hannity uses, and take them off your shopping list.
October 1st, 2006 at 7:30 amyeah, can’t wait to buy that all-ameican muscle car, the new camaro
ontario is part of america now, right ??
October 1st, 2006 at 7:49 amGeez, why don’t ya hire Ann Coulter as well? Oh and Lush Rimball too, or is that Rush Limpball? I don’t remember.
So, okay, I get it. Niche markets! Niche markets are going to be the new way. It seems like a good idea, considering Globalism. I mean, why appeal to the world population? Makes much more sense to slim down the cross-section of the world to the fans of Hannity and Colmes! Strategy, it’s all strategy I tell ya! Good thinking GM!
October 1st, 2006 at 10:28 amWhat were you thinking? Did you think at all?
October 1st, 2006 at 10:58 amI was actually in the market for an American car and was going to look at GM first, now….well, probably not. But then again, you guys are trying to sell Hummers and Caddy’s to the people who listen that that program, so a $20k sell really won’t matter to you all. Honda will appreciate my business….
October 1st, 2006 at 12:55 pm390 posts and what have we learned ? Democrats and liberals are still sore losers. If Franken,Ed Schultz or Randi Rhodes had more listeners than Hannity GM would have went with one of them instead. But alas they don’t. And they never will.
October 1st, 2006 at 1:38 pmWll, after reading this news, I guess I can only hope that some miracle of nature completely destroys GM and wipes it’s executives off the face of the planet. That would be neato.
October 1st, 2006 at 9:50 pmIt’s time people realize that in this plutocracy, voting with the dollars you spend is at least as important as voting in an election. Although it is difficult, I try to purchase goods and services only from corporations that at least do not actively oppose a progressive agenda. That’s why besides GM, I am now also boycotting 7/11, which is planning to terminate its relationship with CITGO in order to try to punish Hugo Chavez for his speech at the UN.
October 1st, 2006 at 11:05 pmY’know, folks – the problem is that, in all likelihood, almost all of the auto manufacturers (domestic or foreign) are either headed by Republicans or support the current administration. Yes? No?
It’s thoughts like these that make me lose hope…but that’s reality.
October 1st, 2006 at 11:33 pm#26
But people would be wondering who Michael Moore is.
October 2nd, 2006 at 9:55 amA majority of the people complaining here have probably never even listened to Sean Hannity.
As a long time GM owner I have no problem with this promotion.
There have been specific shows that GM has advertising on in the past that we choose not to watch (due to content) but I am real world enought to understand that for GM (or any corporation) to survive they must reach out to different target audiences.
I think a majority of those posting here need to order a caffine free Starbucks while waiting for their bus ride to wherever….
October 2nd, 2006 at 11:07 amSpoke to my dad over the weekend. apparently Leneve and Hannity are Buddies.
October 2nd, 2006 at 12:39 pmI just emailed GM and I meant it.
October 2nd, 2006 at 2:27 pmNo more GM products for me.
Goodbye Buick!
I think Sean Hannity is a nut job and I have never bought a GM car. But as a gay man who is often on the receiving end of so-called boycotts by the religious fanatics against any company who dares to advertise in a gay publication, it would be hypocritical of me to put down GM for using the religious fanatics to promote their products since they do advertise in gay publications as well. I just dont have to buy a GM! And why would I?
October 2nd, 2006 at 5:18 pmI like to buy American, and I’m really glad I have a Ford now.
The decision to hire Mr Hannity is offensive, and I will consider that when I buy my next car.
October 2nd, 2006 at 6:09 pmMy email to GM:
Dear Mr. LaNeve:
You cannot be serious. Mr. Hannity’s show is not just
another radio program, it’s a purveyor of mean, ugly,
ad hominem attacks, the very kind that have cheapened
and uglified American political life since Gingrich
took office.
There are a good many of us who can remember the days
before the Republicans decided to foul the public
discourse, and we long to be clean again.
To think that a “patriotic” advertising campaign would
choose such a biased and mean-spirited venue is beyond
belief. I can only assume the decision makers are very
young and cannot recall what civil society looked like.
I own two GM vehicles, but cannot imagine buying
another from a company that doesn’t even grasp why Mr.
Hannity might be a problem.
I don’t want my vehicles made by fools.
October 2nd, 2006 at 10:20 pmLet me get this straight. A Company gives their cars away on a program you don’t like, but thousands (possibly hundreds of thousands) listen to and there is freaking out and yelling and caps and the selling of cars.
Be a real democrat! Buy a car because it was made in the only LEED certified automotive manufacturing plant in the world.
Buy a car from a company that has more vehicles that get better gas mileage than any other company.
Buy a car from a company that focuses on attacking the emmisions issues where it counts, in busses and large commercial vehicles. Not on personal vehicles that do less than half of the damage to the atmosphere then big vehicles. You have to attack the real problem first.
Buy a car from a company because they admit their mistakes and don’t try to hide them or sweep their safety issues under the rug to be found out by the japanese government.
All of these thing GM has done. Cared about the environment, attacked the emmisions issues where it counts, built better quality vehicles and admitted their mistakes. And you dare attack them for advertising on Hannity’s radio show? Please… What if they advertised on Olbermann? Would everyones panties be in this much of a bind?
I for one am so far left it’s not even funny anymore. But I do know where there is a line. I watch Olbermann and see a GM ad almost every night. Should the rights get to complain and carry on as this thread has?
Get in the game.. how about caring and acting on issues? This sitwe is called think progress right? Can GM not progress? Should you really not buy from a company that insures millions of americans?
I think you belong on the right if you think this way.
October 2nd, 2006 at 11:39 pmHey Guys
October 3rd, 2006 at 12:20 amI like Sean,I think he’s a standup guy,he seems to have some morals, and in this world of that idiotic pollitical correctness,that is really good
thing. I’ve been a GM fan all of my life,and I can hardly wait for the new
Camaro.
I wont be buying a GM car for many generations. They should have hired Sean Penn to do the advertisement for Great Americans.
October 3rd, 2006 at 1:42 amPlease see my blog post on this topic: click here
GM has posted their response to their blog: click here and I have responded to it. I don’t know if they’ll post my response, so I copied my post to my own blog.
To those that suggest that Sean hannity is a good guy, check out my post for some websites that list a lot of reasons why he’s not.
October 3rd, 2006 at 1:43 amI’m not so mad about them partnering with Hannity for this promotion. I’m mad that they were so idiotic as to take political sides. Whether they advertise on Franken or Hannity, you’re going to alienate at least fifty million people.
GM shot themselves in the foot on this one. But they’ve done it so many times before that they probably don’t notice a new hole.
October 3rd, 2006 at 7:53 amI wonder how you’ll react if Toyota or Honda partner with Hannity?
And how to react in a situation like “what if Toyota got plagued by a big scandal like Mitsubishi was?” More infos at http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=13867
October 3rd, 2006 at 9:36 amWhat’s the rub? I thought all you lib’s rode Shwinn 10 speeds?
By the way, when are they coming out with the new ALGORE that gets like 3000 miles to the gallon?
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:53 pmNo wonder this country is a mess, look at the hate posts here.
Can’t we all just get along.
October 3rd, 2006 at 7:44 pmGet a life! Do you people even listen to Hannity or are you too busy hugging trees!? Who are you kidding anyway, all you Lib’s hate big business in this country so this is just another excuse to display how hateful and exclusionary you really are.
October 4th, 2006 at 7:36 amRegards from a conservative that still has all his teeth, doesn’t live down South and believes in God.
I think this will have more of a negative impact on foreign car sales.
I’m going to enter the contest, hope I win, and then single out Sean Hannity as an assclown. Maybe if he’s at the event when I pick up the car I can run him down and blame it on the liberal media.
October 4th, 2006 at 10:57 pmOh, and Gene from NJ. Get a pro-life life.
October 4th, 2006 at 10:58 pmGM is advertising to the 12-14 million Hannity listeners and viewers, hoping to encourage some purchasers. Is the government now supposed to censor advertisers when a bunch of whiners fuss about where a company spends its advertising money? Aren’t we free to spend our advertising dollars where we want to? I have yet to see GM or Hannity make any of the statements that some of you people posted earlier, such as the ‘buy GM or you are anti-American’ comments.
They’re advertising. Get over it. They aren’t trying to raise your taxes, close down your churches, kill your children, or dumb them down in public schools. That’s already being taken care of by the extremists on the left.
October 5th, 2006 at 12:10 amIronic that some of GM’s biggest sellers, are produced in Mexico. Buy American, eh?
October 5th, 2006 at 8:22 pmApparently Mr. Hannity is not aware that GM produces most of its top selling models in Canada and Mexico. That doesn’t sound like a “Great American” to me.
October 5th, 2006 at 8:24 pmthis hannity idiot dosnt know his brain from his ass,he’s a racist pig with a big mouth I nolonger will purchase GM products
October 5th, 2006 at 9:08 pmHannity will get more listeners… ‘hey Bubba, hear they’re gibbin away a truck? All you gotta do is listen to Hannity, you’ll like him, he’s good.. and a fuhreeee truck!!!’
Read the fine print Bubba, you’ll sell your soul for that ‘free’ truck. Or your granbaby’s anyway.
Google or wiki ‘Who Killed the Electric Car?” if you want to see the brilliant minds of GM at work.
October 6th, 2006 at 2:18 pmI think we should be snobs . I , like you , will never ever purchace a TOYOTA NEVER. Take the the white men DOWN. And take down the people who fight for your right to say the trash that spews from your mouth
October 6th, 2006 at 4:37 pmYou are HORRIBLE WORLD CITIZENS. and kiss my ass.
all of you who comlpain about how you are victims will continue to be victims of those who acctualy do something on this earth. Cry me a(peta,green,bisexual, right to death, solar car, solar food, solar right to sex with animal peace tax you for me)RIVER. windpower to you all
October 6th, 2006 at 4:51 pm#418, huh?
#419, huh?
Sorry I was not more clear, and i didn’t give a closer look at the great good GM did for our country by making sure all THEIR trucks were armored before they gave our boys the keys.
Culpable, maybe even guilty.
October 7th, 2006 at 12:14 am
October 8th, 2006 at 12:05 amI FEEL THIS IS A GOOD ADVERTISING GIMIC FOR THE GM PEOPLE. HOWEVER, THE PRODUCT ISN’T WORTH GETTING TO EXCITED ABOUT. THEY SHOLD LOOK AT WHAT FORD IS DOING AND BRING BACK ONE OF THEIR CLASICS FROM THE PAST. THE 1957 CHEVY, THE 1956 BUCK, THE 1956 PONTIAC. BUT THIS JAP STUFF WITH A DIFFERENT NAME TO IT DOES NOT CUT IT. HECK, MAKE THE HY-BRED IF NEED BE. BUT I WOULD KEEP THE BAD AND ORIGINAL.
KEEP them American and get bact to basics. 1956 Buick. Ford did the Mustang, whay not get the guts to do a GM past classic.
October 8th, 2006 at 12:07 amI just informed GM that I will not be buying or leasing a GM car ever again.
My family only bought GM cars but not anymore. I will be informing my neighbors.
GM will forever be linked to a unAmerican like hannity. How ironic?
October 8th, 2006 at 3:06 pmCome on, the isn’t any kind of endorsement of Hannity. It is purely putting GM advertising on a highly-rated radio show. GM isn’t advocating liberal positions by advertising OnStar on Air America either.
October 8th, 2006 at 11:04 pmI have just written G.M. the following:
Being a former employee of General Motors and a strong believer in driving G.M. vehicles, I am so offended and appalled that you would choose to spend G.M. promotional dollars on the Shawn Hannity Show. I am actually shocked that you could not better have read the current feel of the American Public.
I am so turned off by any show on Faux News (especially fanatical Shawn Hannity) that I have actually removed its channel number from my remote… haven’t been there in over a year. For sure, Faux News is anything but “Fair and Balanced”, and also for sure, it is definitely the voice of the GOP only.
I absolutely refuse to support a company — even my former employer — that supports a major network that goes against everything I believe in. I will now consider buying an Asian-manufactured vehicle (which will be very soon) rather than buying G.M. because of any”loyalty” I might have had to the Company. That loyalty has been destroyed. Loyalty must go both ways.
October 9th, 2006 at 6:15 pmI am shocked at GM having a great american
October 9th, 2006 at 9:47 pmany thig with Sean Hannity he is a coward and a liar, he thinks nothing of calling other americans who do not agree with him and George Bush
traitors and the most low of insults there are many many dead democrats and Sean Hannity is not one of them, he is a vile human being.
I will never buy another GM product for ever.
tyou all should be ashamed of your self putting money ahead of your values .
ALL U DEMOCRATS SOUND LIKE ANGRY BITTER PEOPLE. YOUR PARTY IS THE REASON WE GOT ATTACKED IN THE FIRST PLACE AND IF U DONT LIKE THE FACT THAT WE’RE IN IRAQ RIGHT NOW, THEN I HOPE U DIE A TERRIBLY PAINFUL, SLOW AND TORTUROUS DEATH IN THE NEXT TERRORIST ATTACK IF & WHEN WE ADMIT DEFEAT IN IRAQ. BECAUSE THEN WE COULD FIGHT THIS PROBLEM HOW IT NEEDS TO BE FOUGHT. YOUR ALL TREE HUGGIN’, LEFT-OVER-FROM-THE-1960s, BURNOUT HIPPIE TRASH. YOU DONT GET IT, WHEN THE IRAQIs STAND UP, YOU WANT TO STEP DOWN…INSTEAD WE HAVE TO ACT LIKE THE STRONG COUNTRY WE ARE AND STAND UP AND DEFEAT THIS IDEOLOGY. PLUS WHOEVER WROTE THAT REPUBLICANS ARE TOOTHLESS GOD-FEARING REDNECKS IS LAYING THEIR IGNORANCE OUT THERE FOR THE WORLD TO SEE. WE ARE THE PARTY OF THE RICH AND PRIVLIGED. HA! HAVE FUN EATING YOUR FAST-FOOD DINNERS AND SMOKING YOUR WEED YOU WASTE OF LIFE AND WASTE OF SPACE IN THIS AMAZING NATION.
October 27th, 2006 at 1:26 pmWhy are liberals so angry? Oh, wait, I know why. It’s because they havn’t had power since Bush became president in 2000. No matter how hard they try to bring the man down he always steps up and knocks it out of the park. Remember Michael Moore’s movie just a few months before Bush’s second term? How about the phony CBS forged documents concocted by Dan Rather everyone terms “Rathergate”? Boy, he really went down in flames at the end of his retirement. And the results were,- after all the undermining of the troops, calling them terrorist (by John Kerry) and murderers (by Mirtha), yeah, they’re Vietnam vets, but they ain’t the ONLY ones, brother. They are walking and talking morons. So is “Turbin” Durbin for calling our troops Nazis. i can go on and on but if you want more examples of unhinged libs’, just listen to Sean Hannity’s show. It’s the number one show in the nation. That’s why he’s hated. OK, number two, Rush is number one. Or Fox, the number one NEWS channel with the number one shows in the evening hours. – Anyways, as I was saying – AND THE RESULTS WERE – a larger voter turnout in American history with Bush getting the largest amount of votes than any other president in history. Just look at the numbers. That’s more than half of America. But, I guess more than half of America has lost their marbles. If you believe that than you ought to be shot. The People have spoken… we need to vote STRAIGHT REPUBLICAN to get rid of the weeds of hate that are destroying the harvest of peace that we need. Stop tying the president’s hands with pointless debates and let’s give the troops the benefit of a doubt, (we AT LEAST owe them THAT), let them do their jobs… SEEK AND DESTROY… SEMPER FI…
October 27th, 2006 at 2:07 pmI have always driven a Chevy throughout the years. ‘73 Camaro , ‘74 impala, 94 caprice among others. I was thinking about purchasing another Chevy within the next six months, but after seeing that Insanity is being paid by GM NO THANKS!. I spit on you GM and I am finally going to make the crossover to a foreign car thank you very much! Nissan Toyota or Honda? Anybody got any suggestions for either a 4 door sedan, pickup or SUV?
November 1st, 2006 at 11:48 pmPoor Ed, two comments above. Looks like you lost and Libs won!! YEAHHHH!!!
November 17th, 2006 at 11:13 pmI wonder if Hannity will refuse to award the car if it is won by a liberal or anyone who disagrees with him or President Bush since according to Hannity such people are traitors.
Why does Hannity hate America?
November 26th, 2006 at 12:37 amWhy are Republicans so angry? Oh wait, I know why. It’s because they had their a** handed to the in 2006. No matter how hard they try to cover up for Bush’s ineptitude he always steps up and strikes out. Remember the Abramov scandal, Haliburton and the promised “cakewalk” victory in Iraq? How about the WMDs that Rumsfeld and Cheney promised us were there? Boy Rumsfeld really went down in flames. Despite lying about Kerry and Murtha (decorated war veterans unlike any of the Bush administration) and they’re not the only liberals brother. They are walking and talking morons. I can go on and on but if you want more examples of unhinged republicans just listen to Hannity, Savage, Ingram etc. Just listen to Sean Hannity’s show. It’s the number one radio show in the nation which is probably why the Republicans lost in 2006. Rush is number one on radio, another reason they lost in 2006. FOX is the number one PROPAGANDA channel but voters can tell when somebody is covering up the truth with lies. Anyways, as I was saying – AND THE RESULTS WERE – a larger voter turnout with Bush and his party getting their a** handed to them. Just look at the precedent, an incumbent party in a war should have been a “cakewalk”. Fortunately for America, most of us have not lost our marbles and voted the bums out before rightwing psychopaths declared all of us who disagree with them traitors and had us shot. The People have spoken… we need to vote ANYTHING BUT REPUBLICAN to get rid of the weeds of hate that are destroying the harvest of peace that we need. Start tying the president’s hands with the Constitution which he and his frothing looney supporters declare a pointless document. Let’s bring the troops home, (we AT LEAST owe them THAT), let them do their job of defending America and not fighting needless wars. UPHOLD AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION … SEMPER FI…
November 26th, 2006 at 12:52 amSo Gm thinks the man who said the NAACP is worse then the KKK is a great American . IF you are a member of my Family or think of me as a friend ,
December 6th, 2006 at 4:06 pmyou know I’ve said buy American , buy G.M . well it’s time tomove on’
GM’s deal with Hannity shows that they deal with marketing using the same intelligent forward thinking they used in dealing with the development and sales of significant cars. Why not just give the keys to the factory to Toyota right now?
December 11th, 2006 at 12:51 amBTW, Hannity wouldn’t know a great American if one stood up and poked him in the ass.
I was horrified that GM would hire someone as controversal as Sean Hannity to promote their products, I will not buy from them ever again. They can sell those gas guzzling products to the people who dont know any better and think big trucks give them status.
December 12th, 2006 at 11:36 amThink Toyota for quality and dependabilty………….End
Sean Hannity is a for-hire hack. And the GM marketing VP is an even bigger hack if he thinks we believe Sean is merely one of many “advertisers”. First of all. Anyone who listens to Sean with any regularity would know he is a die-hard Jeep owner. Plus, it seems odd too that Saab is on the list of great American cars. The first North American Saab plant was in Mexico, but now that they manufacture the Saab 9-7X in the US, that would qualify. Although, they still market the car as an import. Ha. They will say anything to anyone to sell a car.
I don’t really care. They can have Sean as a spokeperson. They can try any type of marketing spin/advertising campaign they want. I do care if they keep asking the American people for a loan/bailout for their mess and mismanagement of the company. I will vote against any of our elected (Rep, Dem, Ind) who gives it to them.
December 18th, 2006 at 4:34 pmGM, Ford & Chrysler could make the best cars on the planet if they were not saddled by the United Auto Workers Union. If it wasn’t for 19% of each car sold going to pay for the pensions of these lethargic leeches, maybe American companies could invest more in quality control. The US has the most productive workers in the world if you count only those not in unions. So go ahead & buy foreign cars, at least that way you won’t support the Unions & Democrats!
December 19th, 2006 at 10:18 amI find it so funny that all you liberals scream about how horrible walmart is and you shouldn’t buy at walmart because it is not paying a good wage and is not union but you don’t mind buying cars that are made by non union companies such as toyota.
question for all you hypocritical liberals who buy cars foregin cars: What is the only country that toyota does not have a union contracts with ? America.
so the next time you limp wristed liberals cry about companies who doesn’t support good wages think about what car you drive.
go to http://www.uaw.org and check out cars that are built by union workers.
ps i am not a republicans !!!!! I am a guy who supports american workers
December 28th, 2006 at 10:57 pm