Is Chairman Genachowski about to be booted from the FCC?

The Hill reports that FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski is being considered as the successor for Gary Locke as Secretary of Commerce. This as the FCC Chairman is taking heat from the Broadcast industry, wireless industry and even ham radio operators for several crucial steps that could affect the future of wireless services and digital TV.

Secretary Locke is rumored to be considered as a replacement for Jon Huntsman as US Ambassador to China. This would create a vacancy in the Commerce department which could be filled by Genachowski. However, it is also rumored that the White House may just want to get Genachowski out of the FCC where he hasn't been that good at making a firm decision on many of the matters before the Commission.

Among the highlights (and lowlights) of Genachowski's tenure were net neutrality, spectrum repurposing proposals for TV spectrum and the Comcast-NBC merger. Much of this has not gone over well, with the embattled Chairman having to make several trips to Capitol Hill to face fire from both Republicans and Democrats. Allowing Genachowski to take a cabinet position would have him leave the Commission on a high note and ultimately serve as damage control for the Obama administration.

Over the next few months, the Senate will confirm Republican Meredith Attwell Baker as well as a yet to be named successor for Democratic Commissioner Michael Copps. Copps was the lone dissenter to the Comcast-NBC merger and quite vocal about his opposition to it. Genachowski's exit and replacement could be incorporated in this process.