After 'Net Neutrality' Proposal, Political Storm Brews

The Federal Communications Commission's new proposal to allow broadband providers to charge website companies for faster service thrusts President Barack Obama into a tricky political position, threatening to drive a wedge between him and some of his most ardent political backers.

Young people, Silicon Valley entrepreneurs and consumer advocates have been among the most vocal critics of any move that they see as undercutting an Internet concept known as "net neutrality" -- the idea that all Internet traffic should be treated equally by broadband providers. Critics believe that principle could be eroded by a proposal the FCC put forth last week on a party-line vote and at the behest of FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler. The proposal infuriated many Obama supporters ranging from consumer activists to Silicon Valley entrepreneurs. "I did not spend the better part of two decades helping turn Silicon Valley from a Republican bastion to a Democratic bastion so my own team could fumble the ball on the two yard line," said Wade Randlett, a major Democratic fundraiser who has been active in tech-industry advocacy.