(2010-08-10) Cook Genachowski Failing So Far

Gordon Cook quotes Harold Feld's assessment of Julius Genachowski's record at the FCC so far, with recommendations for a turnaround. A perusal of the last year of FCC orders and Commission meetings shows a non-stop stream of reports, studies, and proposed rulemakings. The only actual orders involve things so non-controversial and trivial that they hardly constitute tweaks... Genachowski creates his own opposition by his stunning refusal to actually make decisions and lead. This gives opponents time to organize, frustrates and exhausts supporters, and undermines support for Genachowski’s initiatives. (Why put yourself out for someone who isn’t ever going to actually take action?)

When Genachowski announced his original “open internet” back in September 2009, he had support from the President, the Vice President, the Speaker of the House, The President of the Senate, and the chairs of the relevant committees. Rather than fold, (TelCo) opponents responded with a massive “shock and awe” campaign similar to the campaign against “Obamacare,” complete with accusations of a “government take over of the Internet.” But whereas Obama eventually decided to press the fight on healthcare in the face of massive criticism, judging it better to win after committing than to take a clear loss by walking away, Genachowski never seems to have recovered from the shock that incumbents would not roll over.

As for Kevin Martin . . . while nobody would claim he was the most beloved FCC chair, no one would deny he was one of the most accomplished FCC chairs. A review of his tenure shows he would have more votes on substantive orders in a single meeting than Julius Genachowski has managed his entire term. And while Martin came in for a fair share of criticism on how he ran the agency — particularly his love of Byzantine politics — Genachowski’s recent stint as “Referee to Industry Food Fights” has pretty much washed away all that “open, transparent, data driven” stuff.

For a first choice, I’d recommend getting the damn Analog Tv White Spaces done... Then pick four or five major items that have real consequences and push them through.