Comcast looking ahead to Obama

Comcast is a clear winner in one Washington area with Tuesday's election: Kevin Martin's day as Federal Communications Commission chairman are numbered. Chairman Martin was annoyed by the cable industry's refusal to adopt stricter decency standards early in his tenure as FCC chair. Indeed, while many companies and industries experienced a broad relaxation of federal regulations during the Bush presidency, cable has faced a broadening of regulation under Chairman Martin. Comcast executive David Cohen backed the election of Sen Barack Obama (D-IL) -- Will it translate into an easier ride in Washington with an Obama administration for the cable giant? It's not a slam dunk, say industry experts. President-elect Obama was helped in his historic presidential campaign by powerful Comcast opponents who also claim Democratic ties: unions and Internet advocates.