Daschle cable able
Senate majority leader addresses biz confab
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Cablers cheered Monday eagerly as Daschle complimented the biz for wiring much of America and bringing high-speed Internet access to rural areas, such as his home state of South Dakota. His comments squared with the theme of the three-day convention -- "Making Broadband Happen."
Daschle was clearly enjoying his new, unexpected role as the Senate's top dog. He became majority leader after Vermont Sen. James Jeffords bolted the Republican party and became an independent, throwing control of the Senate to Dems.
"It is so good to be here," Daschle said. "But I do have to get back to Washington to mow James Jeffords' lawn."
Another Capitol Hill celebrity, House of Representatives Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.), was also on hand at Cable 2001 to cut the ribbon and officially open the exhibit floor.
Speaking in the language of Washington, Daschle gave little clue as to his position on specific issues facing the media/entertainment industries. Instead, he spoke in general terms about the importance of competition.
New Federal Communications Commission topper Michael Powell is a proponent of deregulation, giving big media congloms hope that the FCC will abandon various ownership rules. Powell is scheduled to address the cable confab this morning.
The courts have already handed the cable biz a huge victory in recently throwing out an ownership cap barring a cabler from reaching more than 30% of the national audience.
But with Democrats now in control of the Senate, there could be more questions raised about further consolidation of the media/entertainment biz than when the GOP was in charge.
Sen. Ernest Hollings (D-S.C.), who replaces Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) as chair of the key Senate commerce committee, is leery about mergers such as that of AOL and Time Warner.
Daschle, of course, will have a big say in determining any specific legislation that comes to the Senate floor for a vote.
Charter Communications prexy-CEO Jerald Kent -- chair of this year's cable convention -- said there was only one conclusion to be drawn from Daschle's appearance and comments at a public policy luncheon.
"He's bullish on the industry," Kent said. "It shows how well we are doing."
