gigi sohn has been pointed by mid-chairman tom wheeler. does that say anything about how the auctions will be conducted? well, the appointment of gigi to the fcc senior staff was a because,g development of course, gigi for many years has been one of the most prominent and respected critics of the fcc, and just a really fierce advocate for the public interest and consumer rights. ways,hink in a number of chairman wheeler appointing gigi might be sending a signal to the public interest community that he is if not sympathetic, certainly willing to be engaged with the public interest community to an extent that perhaps has not occurred during previous fcc administrations. so as far as the spectrum auction is concerned, i think having gigi as a member of the mean thatff will there will be a strong voice for the public interest in the chairman's office. i think that is a good thing from my point of view. >> why? >> because i think that one of the tough things about the fcc is that it can be a heavily politicized agency. i mean, it is basically st

host: what do the lobbyists from are verizon, at&t and some of the larger companies think about gigi sohn's appointment? >> guest: well, they have not issued statements yet. i know that the big companies are enthusiastic and hopeful about chairman wheeler. traditionally, gigi -- who for many years served as president of public knowledge -- has occasionally found herself on the other side of a lot of issues from the big wireless and cable companies. so, again, i'm not going to -- i wouldn't want to speculate about what they might think about her appointment. but, again, i do think it's good to have a real strong public interest advocate if the chairman's office for balance. >> host: well, tom wheeler had been cleared by the commerce committee many months ago but then was held up in the senate because of so-called disclose act. here's an exchange he had with senator ted cruz about the disclose act. >> in your judgment, does the fcc have the authority to implement the disclose act or to otherwise regulate political speech? >> um, as i have said before, that's an issue that i look forward to le