President Obama broadband moves stoke tension with GOP

President Barack Obama is delving more deeply into broadband issues as he tries to put his stamp on the nation’s Internet policy -- setting up more conflict with Congressional Republicans and telecommunications giants that dominate the industry.

President Obama's speech backing efforts to spur city-run broadband networks as an alternative to private-sector providers like Comcast and Verizon incensed Republicans who see it as just another attempt to over-regulate the industry with a Washington power-grab. “Each day we see more policies coming out of this White House that attempt to wield greater power and control for the federal government,” said Sen Deb Fischer (R-NE). “We don’t need unelected bureaucrats like Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler dictating to our states what they can and can’t do with respect to protecting their limited taxpayer dollars and private enterprises,” Rep Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) said.