A Bankrupt LA Times and Sam Zell's Donations to Rahm Emanuel

[Commentary] Why did the Federal Communications Commission ignore the concerns of the Teamsters, Common Cause, and the Media Access Project who argued that the sale of the Tribune would damage local communities because of Sam Zell's overleveraged strategy? As usual in DC, is a mixture of influence peddling and social ties. Last year, then-Rep Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) and Sen Richard Durbin (D-IL) wrote to the FCC, urging the agency to act quickly on the sale of Tribune Co. to real-estate magnate Sam Zell. The lawmakers said the FCC shouldn't allow its review of its media- ownership rules to delay completion of the transaction. Both Dick Durbin and Rahm Emanuel received substantial donations from the predominantly right-wing Zell, with Emanuel having an especially close set of ties. Zell gave to him for his contested 2002 primary slot, after Emanuel had just finished his stint as a Chicago investment banker.