Time Warner has hired Tim Berry, chief of staff to House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, to serve as VP for global public policy, sources said.

But in a statement, Jeff Chester, executive director of the watchdog Center for Digital Democracy, said: “Time Warner’s aligning itself with the right-wing DeLay machine should send shudders at [Time Warner’s] CNN and HBO. Time Warner wants DeLay insurance so it won’t have to face cable ownership safeguards, a la carte rules and broadband nondiscrimination policies.”

Said Rep. DeLay in a statement: “Tim Berry is widely regarded as a complete professional. His dedication, integrity, work ethic and vast experience have served me well during his ten years of working with me in the House of Representatives. While Tim’s leadership in the Office of the Majority Leader will be missed, I wish him and his family the warmest congratulations and future success in his new professional endeavor.”