consumers. just in the past year, at least five other states face pressure from auto dealers to do the same. the auto dealership lobby is a lot stronger than you might think. in the 2012 election cycle, the national auto dealers association alone gave more than $3 million to campaign contributions to federal candidates, parties and outside groups. total contributions representing u.s. car dealers as a whole, more than $16 million. between the two parties, 85% of donation s went to republicans. what auto dealers want right now is state regulation to keep companies like tesla from selling cars without a dealer. because the battle between republicans and democrats has never really been about more regulation or less regulation. it s always been about who that regulation benefits. i m going to throw in a family feast for four at applebees and two panther playoff tickets. deep in the heart of texas, deep in my heart, i m your buddy. everybody needs a buddy.