Former Hewlett-Packard CEO and McCain campaign advisor Carly Fiorina has registered the name “Carly for California” with the IRS. The object of that move is a possible challenge to incumbent Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA).
Fiorina stated, “The people of California have serious concerns about job creation, economic growth and the role of government in solving problems that touch each of our lives. I have received a great deal of encouragement to make a run for the Senate in 2010 from people across the political spectrum because these are all issues that need focused attention in Washington.”
Boxer is a member of the key Senate Commerce Committee. Her key broadcasting claim to fame was ambushing former FCC Chairman Kevin Martin at a hearing with an FCC internal report that appeared to make the case not to loosen broadcast ownership rules.
An anonymous FCC staffer sent her the Michael Powell-era report, which until then had never seen the light of day, leading to charges that it was deliberately suppressed so Powell could push forward with his deregulatory program, which Martin happened to support.
But Martin had no knowledge whatsoever of the report in question, and quickly smoked out and published dozens of FCC internal reports on broadcast topics.
Boxer is a reliable member of the Byron Dorgan (D-ND) wing of the committee when it comes to broadcasting and communications matters.
RBR/TVBR observation: An extended Boxer/Fiorina bout could be very interesting. Boxer has long had a tendency to seemingly let her words get ahead of her thoughts, and Fiorina’s unfortunate comments about McCain’s lack of CEO experience inspired McCain operatives to keep her away from live mics for awhile. But she should be able to do what’s best for broadcasters, and that is put together the kind of warchest needed to battle it out in all of California’s key media markets.
