Category Archives: Politics: US

Usually Steve Benen is to my mind one of the most clear-sighted observers of the DC scene. Yet, in an item on Eric Holder's GOP Friends in which he correctly notes that Holder will get confirmed with votes to spare, Steve writes,

I'm struggling to wrap my head around the Republican gameplan on this. Their caucus has 41 members, and even if the GOP were to filibuster Holder's nomination, which seems unlikely, they'd lose.

Why then, he wonders, beat up on the guy?

From out here the answer seems obvious: it's a two-fer. First, the Justice Dept. is one of the bureaus that can really hurt the GOP if it starts to investigate what's been doing these past eight years. There's no harm, and much gain, to bloodying up the Attorney General as much as possible in order to attempt to diminish his credibility, and it sets up future accusations of partisanship and/or attempted payback if prosecutors get frisky.

Second, think of the TV: a well-spoken black lawyer in the dock being accused of unethical conduct. Plus, a chance to hyperventilate about links to Clinton sleaze. Might splash back on the President in some eyes? Can't hurt to try.

Harold Feld is the guy I read when I want to understand what's what in communications policy.

Here's his guide to what he calls “the terrain at the FCC”

What Next For The FCC? Beats the Heck Out of Me — So I'll Just Describe the Terrain … I can describe one thing with some certainty, the terrain at the FCC. Or, more accurately, I can describe the uncertainty around that terrain and how it will likely effect policy. In addition to the power to designate the Chairman, Obama may be looking at appointing no commissioners (very unlikely), one commissioner (reasonably likely), two commissioners (also likely), or three commissioners (unlikely). This uncertainty makes it very hard to predict what happens with the FCC next year. To add to the lack of clarity, the DTV transition occurring in February will pretty much suck up all the attention for the first two months — possibly more if it goes really badly. Add to this the significant turn over in both the House and the Senate Commerce Committees, with accompanying likely changes in staff, and you have a cloud of uncertainty powerful enough to obscure any crystal ball.

And then he does scenarios…

Watch change happen.

Yesterday:

House: Waxman, Dingell look ahead to tomorrow's dramatic Democratic caucus vote:

Rep. Allen Boyd (D-Fla.) said on the pro-Dingell conference call that he did not think Democrats would uproot a seniority system that seldom trumps sitting chairmen. “If I was John Dingell, I'd be feeling very good right now,” Boyd said. “I can't imagine these rank-and-file caucus members replacing John Dingell as chairman.”

Today:

Waxman Defeats Dingell for Gavel – Roll Call

Rep. Henry Waxman (Calif.) has ousted Energy and Commerce Chairman John Dingell (Mich.), as Democratic lawmakers voted 137-122 Thursday morning to hand the gavel of the powerhouse panel to its second-ranking member.

Change is unimaginable to some…

Susan Crawford isn't here in New Haven because she has just gotten a new and better gig on the Obama FCC transisiton team:

Science, Tech, Space and Arts Team Leads | Change.gov: The Obama-Biden Transition Team

FCC Review Team Leads

Susan Crawford is a Professor of Law at the University of Michigan, teaching communications law and internet law. She was a partner with Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering (now WilmerHale) until the end of 2002, when she left to become a legal academic. Ms Crawford recently ended her term as a member of the Board of Directors of ICANN.

Ken Werbach is an Assistant Professor of Legal Studies and Business Ethics at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and the organizer of the annual Supernova technology conference (http://www.supernova2009.com). His research explores the legal and business dynamics of information and communications technologies. Formerly, he served as Counsel for New Technology Policy at the FCC during the Clinton Administration. He has also edited Release 1.0, a renowned technology newsletter, and founded Supernova Group, a technology analysis and consulting firm.

Both of these are great choices!

May do a little special pleading, friends? Let's reverse the Brand X decision — odds are this will do more to help net neutrality than any regulations could.