Sneak preview of Comcast war

Washington can get a sneak peek of the war to come over Comcast’s plan to purchase Time Warner Cable -- on Facebook and Twitter. As Comcast readies its army of more than 100 lobbyists to sell the deal, some opponents also are taking aim, launching two pages this month on the social sites as unofficial hubs for stories and statements that slam the $45 billion megadeal.

There’s little that reflects the pages’ authorship, and the effort itself seems minuscule. But it actually demonstrates the new, early coordination among consumer groups like Public Knowledge and Free Press, and companies like Netflix and Cogent Communications. While many potential dissenting voices have been slow to surface, these and other players are making noise as they devise a strategy to fight Comcast’s well-funded campaign for Time Warner Cable. “It’s interesting how, by hanging up a shingle against the merger, all kinds of people come out of the woodwork wanting to work with us,” said Gene Kimmelman, president and CEO of Public Knowledge.