Honestly, I have no idea why Obama decided to jump in on Net Neutrality, other than the fact that it's an area he can influence as president without having to directly deal with House and Senate Republicans (in essence, it's something to do when his hands are tied in the Legislative Branch). Whether or not he's being sincere, political, or both is something for analysts to pour over. Smells more political than anything, since I don't remember hearing a peep from him about Net Neutrality before, like ever. I'm sure he's mentioned it some time before, but this loudly? I missed it if he did.
If you have a cynical outlook on American politics (which is normally the only sane way to view our politics) the general Republican sentiment is their typical knee-jerk anti-Obama reaction. There might plausibly be some earnest economic conservatives that oppose "internet regulation" on the basis that government shouldn't interfere in a "competitive free market" that "works", but it's hard to separate that from party-line politics (saying no to everything Obama says yes to, evidently). Though it's not like that line of economic conservative thinking holds any water; the market for ISPs is hardly competitive. It only works by accident.
Anyway, the FCC wants to change ISPs to fall under utility regulations (the so-called Title II) rather than an information services. Some Republicans have raised some noise about how the FCC is exceeding their power, however, it's actually within their power to reclassify ISPs as utilities. They essentially chose not to do so in 2002, but there isn't a stipulation afaik that says they can't revisit that decision. Other Republicans have said that Title II would impose new regulations and taxes on ISPs, which is debatable (as is everything any politician says, regardless of party...)
If you have a cynical outlook on American politics (which is normally the only sane way to view our politics) the general Republican sentiment is their typical knee-jerk anti-Obama reaction. There might plausibly be some earnest economic conservatives that oppose "internet regulation" on the basis that government shouldn't interfere in a "competitive free market" that "works", but it's hard to separate that from party-line politics (saying no to everything Obama says yes to, evidently). Though it's not like that line of economic conservative thinking holds any water; the market for ISPs is hardly competitive. It only works by accident.
Anyway, the FCC wants to change ISPs to fall under utility regulations (the so-called Title II) rather than an information services. Some Republicans have raised some noise about how the FCC is exceeding their power, however, it's actually within their power to reclassify ISPs as utilities. They essentially chose not to do so in 2002, but there isn't a stipulation afaik that says they can't revisit that decision. Other Republicans have said that Title II would impose new regulations and taxes on ISPs, which is debatable (as is everything any politician says, regardless of party...)