Spell That: May Be Hard to Find Nicknames for New FCC Chmn

It’s all over, but the waiting. At least that was the word around DC Fri, as reports trickled out that Julius Genachowski will be appointed chmn of the FCC any moment now. "He is the choice," an insider told Cfaxfollowing a Washington Post report. Genachowski, a former IAC exec, most recently served as cofounder and managing dir of venture capital firm Rock Creek Ventures. According to his Facebook page, he’s a fan of Arianna Huffington, Craigslist founder Craig Newmark and Slate.com (we’re sure he’ll add CableFAXto the list after he gets the job). Genachowski previously served as chief counsel to former FCC chmn Reed Hundt. This is a guy who is very familiar with cable, having served as svp, gen counsel of USA Networks back in 2000. Of course, nothing’s ever a sure bet, but our money is on Genachowski for the post. Hopes were raised that Obama might announce his pick at a news conference Fri, but instead he revealed Rep Ray LaHood (R-IL) for transportation secretary, House Commerce member Hilda Solis (D-CA) for labor secretary, former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk for US trade representative and venture capitalist Karen Mills to head the Small Business Administration. All of those picks, along with Obama’s FCC appointment will have to be approved by the US Senate, which means an interim chmn might be appointed in the meantime. FCC commish Michael Copps is viewed as the most likely candidate should that need arise.