Comcast lobbyist ghost writes Pa. lawmakers' letter of support

A Comcast lobbyist was the author of a letter signed by 15 of 18 members of Pennsylvania's Congressional delegation supporting the MSO's merger with NBC Universal, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

David Urban, a former chief of staff for U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter and now a Comcast lobbyist wrote the letter that was submitted into the public record at the FCC by Philadelphia's U.S. Rep. Robert Brady. The letter praised Comcast for its growth into a major entertainment behemoth and for its "hands-on involvement in the local communities it serves."

"The letter seems a raw display of Comcast's political clout in Pennsylvania where the cable giant has its corporate headquarters, employs 11,000 workers and contributes to political campaigns," the Inquirer article said.

A Brady staffer defended the decision to use and submit the letter. "It's not like we did their bidding. We decided we would support them. Wouldn't it be congressional malpractice to not help a major employer and taxpayer?" Brady's chief of staff Stanley White told the newspaper.

For more:
- the Philadelphia Inquirer has this story

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