African-American Group Asks Pelosi to Oppose Bobby Rush

James Rucker, executive director of Color of Change, which has 800,000 online members, is asking House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to oppose the candidacy of Bobby Rush (D-IL), who is African-American, to become the ranking member on the House Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet.

"Congressman Rush has repeatedly supported the interests of the telecommunications industry over the interests of regular people, and has been a fierce opponent of network neutrality," Rucker said. "I have grave doubts that Congressman Rush is capable of being an honest broker on important telecommunications matters. AT&T, America's oldest and largest telecommunications company, has long been one of the largest donors to Congressman Rush's campaign committee and leadership PAC. In addition, from 2001 to 2004 the company donated $1 million to a community center Rush founded in Chicago - an off-the-books donation that could lead one to wonder about the prospect of quid pro quo regarding the Congressman and AT&T."

During his congressional career, Rep Rush has received $78,964 from AT&T. The telecom giant is Rush's second largest career contributor, which is also true for the leading Republican candidate to run the committee, Rep Fred Upton (R-Michigan). Rush's other top donors include the National Cable and Telecommunications Association ($43,499), and Verizon ($42,000), according to the Center for Responsive Politics.