Obama Picks New FTC Boss, Former MPAA Lobbyist

[admin]

When it came to consumer issues like broadband, network neutrality or user privacy, the FTC in recent years has spent most of its time nodding dumbly at industry, allowing carriers, content and ad companies to "self-regulate" (code for do as little as possible, but put on a good show). Today Obama appointed current Democratic FTC Commissioner Jon Leibowitz to head the agency, likely paving the way toward a more active and consumer-centric FTC -- at least on some issues.

-- snip --

For four years before joining the FTC, Leibowitz was a lobbyist for the Motion Picture Association Of America (MPAA). While Leibowitz's full intent on new regulation isn't clear, consumer advocates see him as an upgrade.

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Obama-Picks-New-FTC-Boss-Former-MPAA-Lobbyist-101054

So not all bad news, because consumer groups still prefer this new guy over the old one.

[katzdvd]

So not all bad news, because consumer groups still prefer this new guy over the old one.

Maybe...The bigger picture for me is, I seem to remember something from the campaign trail that went like; "lobbyists won't find a job in my white house"...

How can there be change when we still have the same sorry old faces in there...

Oh well, business as usual...

[drfsupercenter]

So he said there won't be lobbyists and then he hires them? "Read my lips", anyone?

[admin]

To be fair, the guy wasn't a lobbyist at the time he was appointed. He's a current FTC commissioner who used to be an MPAA lobbyist about 4 years ago.

[doctorhardware]

I am wondering if he still has the same ideals as he did four years ago.

[admin]

I think the only ideal most lobbyists have is the pursuit of more money

[katzdvd]

So he said there won't be lobbyists and then he hires them? "Read my lips", anyone?

How can you tell if a politician is lying? His lips are moving...

[Budreaux]

I don't want to start a flame here, but please verify your information before you start posting statements like that.

He never said he wouldn't allow lobbyist, he placed restrictions on lobbyist, IF they were hired.

[admin]

And again, this guy is a *former* lobbyist. It would be discrimination if Obama would not appoint anyone that once upon a time did some lobbying. So the issue is not whether Obama is appointing lobbyists (in this case, he's not), but rather, whether this guy is pro MPAA or not.

The consumer groups seems to think he's okay, so that's the most important I think.