Pai courts conservative groups ahead of net neutrality fight

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has been lining up the conservative base to support him in the looming net neutrality fight. "The ask was, 'We would like for you to get engaged, it's up to you to decide what to say, but here's our view,'" according to a source who was in the room during Pai's Friday meeting with conservative groups like the Heritage Foundation, Americans for Tax Reform and FreedomWorks.

That debate kicks off this afternoon, when Pai gives a speech laying out his strategy for reversing the Obama administration's net neutrality rules and the FCC's legal underpinnings.

Why it matters: If Pai can can gin up the support of vocal conservatives to defend him — liberal-leaning advocates have been able to mobilize millions of consumers to file comments and arrange headline-grabbing protests during these battles — he'll have more momentum to push his proposal over the finish line.