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Apr
30
The leaking [White House] has begun officially "announcing" that Mignon Clyburn (daughter of powerful South Carolina Congressman and House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn) as FCC Commissioner. This has been long expected and rumors have been percolating for several months among those in the know, but this appears to be the first time that Mignon Clyburn has been confirmed in the mainstream press. 
So it's a good day to talk more openly about what this means for the general public interest. Let me start by saying that I'm keeping an open mind, having never worked with Ms. Clyburn nor had any personal dealings with her. That said, behind closed doors, just about everyone I've talked with -- right across the board -- has been deeply concerned that Ms. Clyburn will be a disaster for the public interest.
The dominant feeling is that she is extremely tight with the telecom incumbents and that having her on the FCC will all but ensure a stalemate that will prevent any meaningful telecom reforms from being passed. To me, this seems strange since so many of us on the Technology, Media, & Telecom advisory committee during the campaign were looking forward to much needed and innovative reforms once the new FCC was in place.
If this is true, President Obama would have really sold the public interest down the river. Either way, even objectively this looks like a traditional "inside baseball" quid-pro-quo -- appointing the daughter of a powerful congressman to score political points just doesn't look good. And there's the issue that the cable and broadcasting industry are very excited for this nominee -- so much so that it has a lot of folks worried about how independent Ms. Clyburn will be vis-a-vis these incumbents' interests.
What I had heard is that her first choices of jobs were all involving the DoE; but having failed to secure a position at the Department of Energy, the FCC Commissionership was the "booby prize." Given how little is actually known about Ms. Clyburn's positions on key telecommunications issues and her lack of experience in this area, one cannot help but wonder why she's been chosen for such a critically important post.
With nothing less than the future of telecommunications riding on the choices this nominee would be making, it leaves me deeply concerned about the future of the FCC and it's efficacy in addressing a host of problems that have continued to worsen due to it's lax oversight and its abdication of responsibility to adequately regulate to maximize the public interest.
I'd certainly like to learn more about what her positions on the actual issues are -- it would greatly relieve my trepidation. Currently, I see the incumbents rejoicing and veteran public interest folks being worried and that's never a good sign.
I'll continue my searches for information on her actual stances on the issues (good, bad, and ugly).
[UPDATE01] I've begun collecting reactions from folks in the know -- here's what they've been saying (they're not "on the record" and thus I'm keeping them anonymous):
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"...her father is the Whip and he went through hell just to get to Congress after losing a few state campaigns, she won't do anything that will rock the boat for her father nor his chances of running for Gov. of SC someday." [Given the power of AT&T and the telcos in South Carolina (many of whom are major contributors to Jim Clyburn's congressional campaigns) this would imply that she would be very unlikely to vote against their interests.
"Arrgghhh" [My personal favorite. In particular, it sums up the fear that one CLEC in South Carolina has about Ms. Clyburn and it's implications for competitors to the telco incumbents.]
I'm hopeful that over the course of the next 24 hours we'll start seeing more information on her public statements and votes on issues intersecting with telecom policy. Stay tuned.
The nomination wasn't leaked. The White House put out a press release last night about it. So its official.
Clarified! I suppose you're right, the "leaking" was much earlier (when I first learned about things ;)... but this was an official statement. Thanks, Amy.
Well, one of Clyburn or Julia Johnson was a lock, IMO. Not only did Business Week do a piece right after the election, but it was in Baltimore's black press as well.
As to what to expect, well Julia Johnson is a certified tool for telecom, so ...
Nice blog layout, btw.
Mignon Clyburn has shown herself while on the SC Public Service Commission to be a pawn of the utilities. Most recently, she fell head over heels in approving an application by South Carolina Electric & Gas for two new $18 bilion nuclear reactors. South Carolina's loss of Mignon may be South Carolina's gain, but a national loss is she gets on the FCC. Consumers may take a beating from her is she acts like she has in South Carolina. This is bad news.
Welcome back business as usual.
Huge thanks to Sascha who is considered an industry insider and in the know for blogging about this nomination.
It doesn't sound like she's a consumer advocate does it. Guess the only change consumers can count on is what's already in their pocket. :)
I support Obama but this pick baffles and infuriates me. She was up against many, MANY, more qualified candidates and SC isn't exactly a "progressive" state, in regards to anything. Her brief stint at the SC PUC and career as a journalist before that even further confuses me. I do not think she is in any way whatsoever qualified to hold this position.
It seems more and more to me that cronyism and favoritism is alive and well in the Obama administration. I thought that wasn't going to happen, after all it was one of The President's campaign promises. Another was to chose progressives, and not IP protectionists for positions such as this new candidate for FCC Comish.
What really pisses me off is that the big-name techie press is spinning this as if it's some win for techies and the American Consumer. Take a read - this is the spin you'll be seeing for a while on this story from the likes of PC-Magazine, once a heralded computer bible, now nothing more than a spin shill for their parent Conglomo.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2346276,00.asp
"News of her nomination drew praise from the tech community," writes PC-Magazine, a once great publication turned into one long big company spin cycle.
"Mignon Clyburn would bring experience, deep policy understanding and the perspective of a state utility commissioner to the FCC," a Sprint spokesman said in an e-mail. "Sprint Nextel has worked with her in South Carolina, where she has served on that state's Public Service Commission, and we look forward to working with her again on any number of issues including restoring competition to the failed special access markets that are stifling broadband deployment in our country."
"Mignon Clyburn brings an insightful and pragmatic perspective to the complex policy issues that the FCC is tackling in today's dynamic telecommunications environment," said Kyle McSlarrow, president and CEO of the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA). "Ms. Clyburn's extensive experience with intergovernmental groups such as NARUC will make her an invaluable asset to the Commission."
"In Mignon Clyburn's home state of South Carolina, independent cable operators have been the leaders in delivering voice, video and broadband services to rural communities," Matthew M. Polka, president and chief executive of the American Cable Association (ACA), which represents small cable operators, said in a statement. "We look forward to working with Mignon Clyburn on a host of issues when she arrives at the Federal Communications Commission, including efforts to extend broadband further into unserved areas and boosting download speeds in underserved communities."
That's almost hilarious if it wasn't so sad.
Let's see.. Big Telephone, ACA and NCTA loves her. She's been a publisher (read IP Protectionist). Former FCC Comishes welcome her. Need I say more.
Big Telephone and Big Cable are fawning over this person - and we all know what happens next. Yet more small CLECs go under due to cut throat business practices of the Incumbents. I think it speaks volumes that Cable loves her as much as big telephone.
ACA loves her, Sprint loves her, NCTA loves her. She's been a publisher, read, IP Protectionist. Why, oh why are we being stabbed in the back like this, Mr. President.
Thanks, Maarten -- interesting info you've dug up. As I said my original post, I'm looking for information and primary sourcing about Mignon Clyburn. Personally, I'm withholding judgement until I can get confirmation one way or the other. What I do think is obvious, however, is that she wouldn't be in the running were her father not the Majority Whip -- that said, I'd really like to know her stances on the issues. Without more information about her, the whole endeavor comes across as a political quid-pro-quo.
I don't know whether she'd be good or bad, I just know that the information I'd need to make an informed decision about this is being purposefully withheld -- which is a strange position for an administration whose rhetoric has been all about transparency and accountability. I'm still looking for more info on Ms. Clyburn -- hopefully, someone will provide it soon.
I had the priveledge of working with Ms. Mignon Clyburn for 5 years as News Director of "The Coastal Times" newspaper in Charleston, SC, of which she managed successfuly for 14 years. It was my personal experience in dealings with Ms. Clyburn that she is a dedicated and committed person to endeavors assigned. While stressed financially with the operation of the newspaper due to a competitive marketplace, limited media experience, and internal issues with employees such as myself, Ms. Clyburn persevered. She researched her market, educated herself on business operations, and personnally reached out to staff for direction. Moreso, she had a willingness to acknowledge her shortcomings and showed loving compassion and respect for those of us who needed support during tough times.
I am currently in the broadcast and wireless communications industry. I realize the significant responsibilies the FCC mandates. Ms. Clyburn has gone into many arenas unseasoned, but did what was necessary to do a great job. This position should be no different!
Alfrieda Deas-Mikell
CE0 & Founder
Bounce Back Incorprated
www.bouncebackincorporated.com
There is another important point which your story makes clearly but which you haven't grasped.
This lady is a follower. She is not a leader.
If the President says jump she will ask "how high." She is not of a mind to defy the Administration, even if it means telling the Bells there's nothing she can do.
I think Mr. Genachowski will be able to manipulate her relatively easily, and that if she gets too far out of line a simple "call to Jesus" from the White House will straighten her out.
It's not as bad as you think, in other words. Although I'd prefer just about anyone else.
I believe that Mignon Clyburn would bring experience, deep policy understanding and the perspective of a state utility commissioner to the FCC, she can do what president expect...
Ms. Clyburn is a progressive thinker who will work to include the interest of all population segments in America in the opportunities afforded within the FCC regulatory framework. I have found Ms. Mignon to be intelligent, experienced and caring about those who are left behind. At the end of the day, Americans will appreciate her stewardship of such a powerful and coveted position in public service and she will be commended for her outstanding performance. She will not let the people down and we should trust her. Best regards to all, Jose L. Perez, President & CEO, National Utilities Diversity Council, Inc.
Thanks for these comments. Several people have misinterpreted my stance as being against Clyburn when, in fact, I'm against the lack of information about Clyburn's positions. If your analysis is correct, then there should be little problem with making information about her stewardship and experience available for discussion and reflection.
As someone who waits to see who the next Chairman of the FCC will be, its interesting... and promising that Ms. Clyburn will be appointed to this group.
If she's anything like her father her role on the Commission will be a plus.-- Fair and outspoken. So at this time, congratulations are in order. But one hopes she will be reminded there's much work to be done and that the 'airwaves' belong to the people not the corporations.
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