2016 crowd rushes network neutrality

A handful of potential 2016 candidates are rushing to define their position on net neutrality following President Obama’s call for the Federal Communications Commission to impose tougher regulations. The issue is not expected to play a significant role in the 2016 presidential election, but activists on both sides said the issue is important to base voters in both parties.

“It is something I think both sides can go to their base on this and point to this as a policy that is relevant in 2016,” said Wayne Brough, the chief economist at the conservative FreedomWorks, which opposes Obama’s plan. “If one is trying to present oneself as a politician of the modern era who is trying to rally the youth vote in particular, I think that it is a very important position,” said David Segal, executive director of Demand Progress, which supports Obama’s plan.