President Obama has nominated a former telecom industry lobbyist as the new chair of the Federal Communications Commission. Tom Wheeler is a former venture capitalist and Obama fundraiser who has also served long stints heading two powerful industry groups representing cable and Internet corporations. If confirmed, Wheeler will replace outgoing FCC Chair Julius Genachowski. In a statement, the media reform group Free Press criticized Wheeler’s nomination, saying: “The FCC needs a strong leader — someone who will use this powerful position to stand up to industry giants and protect the public interest. On paper, Tom Wheeler does not appear to be that person … but he now has the opportunity to prove his critics wrong.”