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Can Pro-Net Neutrality Dems Turn FCC's McDowell Into a Maverick?

January 27, 2007

As influential lawmakers in the U.S. Congress' new Democratic majority, such figures as Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee member Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-South Dakota) and House Commerce Committee Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass.) will likely push hard for net neutrality hearings as soon as the next few days.

One of the obstacles both partisans may face is a turf fight with the FCC. There is a 3-2 Republican lineup at the agency- and Republicans are generally less receptive to comprehensive net neutrality rules than Democrats are.

But according to the Washington Post, there is some belief that Commissioner Robert McDowell may have a bit of a maverick streak that could- repeat could- make him more amenable to Democratic positions.

The article doesn't mention this outright, but here's something you should be aware of.

I have to think some of the fuel for this hope comes out of McDowell's absolute refusal to toe the line on the now-approved AT&T takeover of BellSouth. Even when terms were brokered to make the deal palatable to the FCC's Democratic members, McDowell stood aside on what amounted to conflict-of-interest concerns. The article notes that McDowell and FCC Chair Kevin Martin have clashed at least twice more in the preceding several months.

"McDowell has been critical of Kevin Martin on a number of occasions," industry analyst Blair Levin. told the Post.

On the other hand, McDowell is known as a conservative, free market Republican. If he jumps ship on net neutrality due mainly to personality differences, I'll be surprised.




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