DASCHLE RECOMMENDS ADELSTEIN FOR FCC SEAT
Senate Majority Leader Daschle (D-S.D.) has recommended his legislative asst. Jonathan Adelstein to White House for nomination as FCC commissioner, he announced Thurs. Recommendation was in letter to President Bush, who is expected to accept Daschle’s recommendation and nominate Adelstein -- whose name then would go back to Senate for confirmation. Daschle said Adelstein’s “expertise in telecomm issues and his commitment to seeing rural America share in the telecom revolution make him the perfect candidate.” Adelstein would be appointed to serve out term of former FCC Comr. Tristani, which expires June 2003.
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Announcement brought host of glowing endorsements from communications industry. CTIA Pres. Tom Wheeler praised the selection, saying Adelstein was “extremely knowledgeable on wireless issues and brings energy, enthusiasm and… interest in telecommunications policy.” Verizon Senior Vp Thomas Tauke said his company had found Adelstein to be “even-handed and willing to listen to all sides of the issues.” AT&T called him “impressive selection.” SBC said it “appreciates” his expertise while BellSouth said “it will be good to have the Commission back to full strength and particularly good if that fifth seat is filled by someone with the knowledge of telecommunications issues that… Edelstein has.” Qwest also praised choice because of Adelstein’s knowledge of issues. National Telephone Cooperative Assn. (NTCA) said it “has long advocated for a commissioner with an intimate understanding of the telecommunications needs of rural communities” and Adelstein fits that description.
Adelstein has worked in Senate for 14 years, serving for last 6 as Daschle aide, handling telecom, technology, banking and transportation. Daschle reportedly had been hesitant to nominate one of his own staffers but one-time front runner Andrew Levin withdrew recently after opposition by Senate Commerce Committee Chmn. Hollings (D-S.C.) surfaced.