WASHINGTON-The Republicans’ ability to retain control of the White House and Congress in Tuesday’s elections will nonetheless prompt changes at the GOP-led Federal Communications Commission, including the likely departure next month of Democratic FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein.
The defeat of Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) all but ended any chance Adelstein had for winning reappointment to the FCC. While there has been no indication President Bush intended to re-nominate Adelstein to a full five-year term, Daschle’s political clout in a Senate with a razor-slim GOP majority at least kept that option alive.
Adelstein’s office was not immediately available for comment.
The leadership of the FCC could also be in play. It is unclear whether FCC Chairman Michael Powell intends to remain on the job. Fellow Republican Commissioner Kevin Martin is mentioned as a possible successor should Powell resign, though Martin’s previous feud with Powell on a high-profile telecom ruling pitting Bell telephone companies against long-distance giants could complicate matters.
Future plans of Commissioner Kathleen Abernathy, a Republican who previously worked in the wireless industry, are uncertain as well.
A leading tech group applauded the election results.
“TechNet congratulates the president on his re-election, and we look forward to four more years of productive collaboration with the Bush administration,” said Rick White, president of TechNet and a former Republican congressman from Washington. “The next presidential term will be a crucial time for American competitiveness and our ability to remain the world’s leader in innovation. Americans could see great benefits from advances in Internet telephony, nanotechnology, advanced biotechnology, RFID and next-generation broadband and wireless services. Yet, we must ensure that our public policies protect entrepreneurialism, improve our education system, encourage public and private investment in R&D and eliminate hurdles to a new era of Internet growth.”
