Obama To Nominate Tom Wheeler as FCC Chairman
Source: Yahoo News
By Alina Selyukh and Jeff Mason
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama will nominate venture capitalist and former wireless and cable lobbyist Tom Wheeler on Wednesday to head the Federal Communications Commission, according to a White House official.
After decades in and around Washington telecom circles, Wheeler would take the reins of the FCC as the industry prepares for a major reshuffling of ownership of radio airwaves and as the agency tries to catch up to rapidly changing technology.
He has the rare support of both industry groups and a number of consumer advocates.
Wheeler has served as an informal adviser to Obama in recent years and has been a big fundraiser for his political campaigns. He went into the venture investing business after years at the helm of the National Cable Television Association and then the wireless industry group CTIA.
Wheeler did not respond to a request for comment. He will succeed current FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, who plans to leave for the Aspen Institute think tank in coming weeks.
"Tom Wheeler is an experienced leader in the communications technology field who shares the president's commitment to protecting consumers, promoting innovation, enhancing competition and encouraging investment," the White House official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said on Tuesday in disclosing Wheeler's nomination.
Read more: Link to sourcehttp://news.yahoo.com/obama-nominate-tom-wheeler-fcc-chair-official-201739145.html;_ylt=Amwt5rZ43x3xS4zqf0ZjA1ys0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTNrOGZucmRrBG1pdANNZWdhdHJvbiBGUARwa2cDYmNmMzgwMWEtNTkzZS0zY2JhLTk4ZTUtMGZkYTY1NGJmOWJhBHBvcwMyBHNlYwNtZWdhdH
I looked at the bio on this dude and he appears to be a mixed bag. In one part of the story, it says he may favor the consolidation of the wireless industry. On the other hand, he is reported to be "in favor of the little guy". Well, hells bells, how is a venture capitalist for the little guy? We've seen that movie all last year.
He was with NBC at a time as a writer and was involved heavily with a few series programs. Doesn't pass the smell test with me--at the moment. Genachowski, on the other hand, is a corporate shill and will get no tears from me.
I just want to know if he is in favor of eliminating reg's that allow radio and television stations to be a continuing corporate cluster f**k which does not serve the public interest.
I like to know which committee will examine him so I can send a few questions--as we all should.
= new reply since forum marked as read
