McCain targets campaign reform: likely Senate Commerce chief to push for digital TC auctions, lower ownership limits.(Republican Senator John McCain from Arizona)(includes related articles on campaign advertising on television, other elections which might effect telecommunications policy)

A change in Senate Commerce Committee leadership coupled with allegations of illegal foreign contributions to Bill Clinton's campaign set the stage for broadcasters' next major battle on Capitol Hill- campaign finance reform.

A bill co-sponsored by Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.), who rises to the chairmanship of the Commerce Committee as a result of Larry Pressler's (R-S.D.) defeat, would force TV stations to give Senate candidates free airtime; it is opposed by broadcasters. McCain, a longtime champion of campaign finance reform, says the bill will be a top legislative priority.

"The incumbents don't like it, [but] the recent scandals provide motivation to act," McCain said in an election night interview, referring to recent stories alleging illegal foreign contributions to Clinton's campaign.

The president said Friday he told McCain he would "do whatever it takes" to get his bill passed this year.

Much of the Commerce Committee's agenda will be dominated by familiar issues. McCain plans to continue his fight for digital TV spectrum auctions and keep his eye on the FCC's implementation of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. He also plans to revisit issues that were not settled to his satisfaction in the act, including foreign ownership rules for broadcast and common carrier facilities, local media concentration, duopoly, and crossownership rules.

But McCain's is not the only new face …