‘Net neutrality’ inventor endorsed by NYT

by Julian Hattem - 08/28/14 8:56 AM ET

The New York Times wants the man who coined the phrase “net neutrality” to become the next lieutenant governor of New York.

The paper’s editorial board on Thursday endorsed Tim Wu, a Columbia University law professor who invented the term for treating all Internet traffic equally, regardless of which website people are visiting.

{mosads}Wu, a Democrat, “offers a fresh perspective and a new voice to counter Albany’s entrenched players,” the Times wrote.

“Although he lacks time in politics, Mr. Wu has an impressive record in the legal field, particularly in Internet law and policy,” it added, noting not just his writings about rules for the Web but also an advisory role in which he served for the Federal Trade Commission on consumer issues.

“Albany needs an independent voice, someone who can bring fresh ideas to a very stale and often corrupt political culture,” it concluded. “Timothy Wu is the one who best fits that bill.”

Wu is running in the Democratic primary against former Rep. Kathy Hochul (D-N.Y.), whom the Times portrayed as someone willing to shift their views merely to win an election.

He has signed onto the ticket of gubernatorial candidate Zephyr Teachout, a Fordham Law School professor trying to unseat Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D).

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Earlier this week, the Times notably declined to endorse Cuomo for reelection, which many saw as harsh criticism for the potential presidential candidate. At the same time, the editorial board also declined to endorse Teachout, since “she has not shown the breadth of interests and experience needed to govern a big and diverse state.”

The primary in New York is Sept. 9.

Tags Net neutrality Network neutrality Tim Wu