Michael Powell

When he was the FCC Chairman (under George W. Bush) he tried to push through a series of rules to allow media companies to become even bigger--an effort that failed after an unprecedented outpouring of outrage from American consumers. Powell received more than three million e-mails opposed to the deal. At the time those consumers all believed: "This guy is in the pocket of the big media companies."

How right they were. Powell and big media finally formalized their relationship this week. He's officially working for them now.