Is there a doctor in the house?

Senate Commerce Committee members last week lamented-one after the other-the many policy ills confronted by the Federal Communications Commission. The universal service regime is broken. The United States is stumbling and bumbling on the global broadband stage. Rural areas are being left behind in the telecom revolution. The TV wasteland is more vast and concentrated than ever; digital technology only helps you see the septic scenes better. And so on.
So who better to speak out and offer medicine to what ails communications policy but Dr. Copps, Chairman Kevin Martin’s reference to his fellow commissioner during last week’s oversight hearing. Michael Copps, a Democratic member of the GOP-led FCC and a former history professor, stole the show. Copps spoke passionately about telecom policies he believes need FCC attention, even if Martin believes otherwise. While Martin was consistently on the defensive under grilling by the Democratic-controlled panel, Copps was given virtual open mike to tell lawmakers what he really thinks. And he did. And senators listened earnestly.
Martin was left to explain his jest months ago about the “KGB-like atmosphere” at the FCC to Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.). Boxer thought it a sick-but probably true-joke.
When Copps wasn’t unabashedly articulating his views with professorial precision, fellow Democrat Jonathan Adelstein was sounding off in equally erudite fashion about policy problems the FCC has failed to resolve. It was the first time this year Copps and Adelstein were able to vent before a congressional panel so highly sympathetic to their views. It was a glimpse of things to come on Capital Hill and the FCC this year.
While Copps and Adelstein do not see eye to eye on every issue, they have proved a potent duo when working toward a common end.
Martin simply does not have a strong or reliable majority at the FCC. He can count on Deborah Taylor Tate’s support, but not necessarily from the other Republican commissioner, Robert McDowell. Now, having to deal with a Democratic-dominated Congress, Martin finds himself with even less political leverage. With such a landscape, it will be interesting to see how long it will be before Martin checks out.
Count on lawmakers and lobbyists-including those in the wireless space-to exploit the free-for-all situation at the FCC.