BROADCASTERS AMONG ASPIRANTS FOR 3 FCC VACANCIES

Furchtgott-Roth, chief economist for House Commerce Committee before his appointment to FCC, joined agency in Nov. 1997. Staunch conservative and defender of First Amendment, he opposed many Kennard initiatives (CD Jan 24 p2). Furchtgott-Roth told us that he didn’t have another job and that he would stay on at FCC for “an orderly transition” and “until a mutually acceptable departure date is worked out with the Administration.” With 6 children at home, he received some notoriety with disclosure when he first joined Commission that he didn’t own TV set.

“There’s a lot of people wanting those jobs,” said veteran Washington lobbyist, noting “the same thing happens every 4 years.” We're told that Bush Administration -- which already has named Comr. Powell as FCC chmn. -- will begin focusing on FCC “in the next couple of weeks.” However, another source said Administration wasn’t close to focusing on agency appointments: “There are conversations… but no decisions yet.” Staunch GOP supporter Ed Gillespie (who didn’t return phone call), pres. of lobbying firm Quinn/Gillespie & Assoc., reportedly is playing major role for Administration in screening candidates.

“We want somebody from rural America,” Senate source said, and seeking to qualify under that criterion is broadcaster Douglas Williams from Woodward, Okla. -- with encouragement from Senate Communications Subcommittee Chmn. Burns (R-Mont.). Williams owns AM-FM and low-power TV station in Woodward (about 125 miles northwest of Okla. City) and is former chmn. of NAB radio board. He’s member of Community Bcstrs. Assn. board. Another broadcaster on list is Michael McCarthy, Belo exec. vp-gen. counsel. He’s member of NAB TV board and former partner in Washington law firm Dow, Lohnes & Albertson. Other GOP contenders for FCC are said to include Pat Wood and Judy Marsh, members of Tex. Public Utilities Commission, White House aide Kevin Martin, attorney Earl Comstock, and “I'm sure there’s a dozen other names,” lobbyist told us.

On Democratic side, prominent members of Congress involved in telecom are advocating their favorite candidates. Senate Commerce Committee ranking member Hollings (D-S.C.) is pushing his longtime aide Mike Copps, who has been Assistant Secy. for international trade at Commerce Dept. Same is said of House Commerce Committee ranking member Dingell (D-Mich.), who is backing his aide Andy Levin. NTIA Dir. Gregory Rohde reportedly is candidate of Senate Minority Leader Daschle (D-S.D.), but we're told Hollings is expected to get more say. Nobody, we're told, is pushing Democrat Ness for reappointment by Bush Administration: “Her problem is that [Senate Commerce Committee Chmn.] McCain [R-Ariz.] is saying ‘no way.'”

Expectation among Democrats is that Comr. Tristani’s Democratic seat also will open before too long, so biggest question is whether Hollings or Dingell will get his man in first, with other left in uncertainty for time being. Levin has both advantage and disadvantage of being more closely associated with telecom issues in recent years, whereas Copps has been handling international trade at Commerce Dept. and has relatively unknown views. By dint of his long association with Dingell, Levin is assumed to be likely to bring more pro-Bell company stance to the FCC than Copps, alumnus of more CLEC-minded Hollings, some officials said. Of course, confirmation goes through Senate.

House Commerce Committee Chmn. Tauzin (R-La.) and to lesser degree Senate Commerce Committee Chmn. McCain (R-Ariz.) lobbied openly for appointment of Chmn. Powell, but they have been quieter on who should get remaining GOP appointments. “The most important position clearly was chairman,” said Tauzin spokesman Ken Johnson. “We're grateful that President Bush and his advisers followed our recommendation.” He said Tauzin “has the greatest admiration and affection for Andy Levin,” who he called “straight shooter” who’s “knowledgeable on all the issues.” However, “certainly it’s a Democratic choice,” Johnson said.

Appointment of broadcaster could lead to considerable opposition from citizens’ groups and unions -- as occurred in 1974 with James Quello, who subsequently was reappointed 3 times and was commissioner for 24 years. Andrew Schwartzman of Media Access Project told us: “We'll take a very hard look [but] being a broadcaster is not per se a disqualification” to be commissioner.