Tauzin's heir apparent seen as cable's friend: in 1992, Joe Barton took an anti-broadcasting stance.(Top of the Week)

The man angling to replace Billy Tauzin (R-La.) atop the House Energy and Commerce Committee is described as a "doctrinaire" Republican who will bring an even stronger commitment to letting the free market reign than the party-switching Cajun he wants to succeed.

Texas Republican Joe Barton appears to be heir apparent to chair the committee, should Billy Tauzin leave Congress to head the Motion Picture Association of America as is widely acknowledged except by Tauzin and his staff, who are still coy about the rumor.

The Los Angeles Times reported Friday that current MPAA chief lack Valenti will leave in January. But complicating the matter are the revelations …