The statement was reported in a that uses the official's comments to suggest the $39 billion deal "could be facing an uphill climb at the Federal Communications Commission."

ANALYSIS:

The quote in full: "There's no way the chairman's office rubber-stamps this transaction. It will be a steep climb to say the least." The story continues with a perfunctory observation by the same official that rather contradicts the story's assumption: "The official stressed that the agency hasn't even begun to formally evaluate AT&T's proposal and will examine the deal on its merits and whether it's in the public interest."

Those are the only comments by or attributed to the unnamed official. The rest of the story summarizes the announced deal, describes growing concerns about it by Democratic senators in Washington, and explains at some length an imminent decision by the FCC to compel carrier to allow roaming of data sessions as they do with voice calls.

As quoted, the official's statement actually is what's known as a "straw man" argument -- one that appears to refute a proposition by substituting one that is superficially similar. In the intense coverage, and widespread criticism, of the surprise deal, announced on March 20, few have said that the overriding issue is the FCC's willingness to "rubber-stamp" the transaction. (Although DSL Reports' that "The problem of course is that the FCC generally does rubber-stamp such deals ...")