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1995-01-03
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Date: Tue, 8 Dec 1992 12:27:28 CST
>From: LOVE%TEMPLEVM@PSUVM.PSU.EDU
Subject: File 6--COM DAILY ON F.C.C. TRANSITION
>From Discussion of Government Document Issues <GOVDOC-L@PSUVM.BITNET>
* Communications Daily article on Clinton transition
appointment for Federal Communications Commission
(F.C.C.)
The following article, written by Art Brodsky (202/872-9202, x252), is
reprinted from the December 7, 1992 issue of Communications Daily,
with permission. Communications Daily is published by Warren
Publishing, Inc., 2115 Ward Court, N.W. Washington, DC 20037.
`Far End of Spectrum'
PLESSER TRANSITION APPOINTMENT DRAWS FIRE
Public interest groups friday criticized naming of Washington
attorney Ronald Plesser to head up communications issues for Clinton
transition effort (CD Dec4, p1). Groups said Plesser, partner in
Washington office of Baltimore law firm Piper & Marbury, represents
clients that characterize Washington special interests. As might be
expected, Plesser's appointment was defended by Clinton confidants.
Plesser will head one of 2 groups in science and technology
transition section led by ex-astronaut Sally Ride. Other group in
Ride's section will evaluate hard science agencies such as NASA and
National Science Foundation. Those transition groups were established
to assess policies and agencies, not to make appointment
recommendations. Personnel matters for permanent jobs are to be
handled by ex-S.C. Gov. Richard Riley (CD Nov 20 p1).
Clinton confidants praised Plesser's designation. "He's the
right guy," we were told. "He'll take a snapshot of the agency,"
covering budget needs, personnel and similar matters. Transition team
"will look to Ron for insights. He's the guy." Referring to much
speculation in press about what Clinton has in mind and who his
appointments might be, source said: "I wonder what on earth motivates
some of this stuff...most of which is wildly inaccurate."
Most criticism of Plesser centers on his advocacy on behalf of
Direct Marketing Assn. (DMA) and Information Industry Assn. (IIA),
particularly for advocating private sector control of databases
constructed by public agencies. Taxpayer Assets Project Dir. James
Love said Plesser "himself is the architect of the basic privatization
policies that came about in the Reagan Administration." Plesser, he
said, is "most ferocious opponent of librarians, citizen groups and
the research community, who want to broaden public access to
government, taxpayer-supported information systems. He's the devil
himself when it comes to government information policy."
Similarly, Marc Rotenberg, dir. of Washington office of Computer
Professionals for Social Responsibility (CPSR), said that "while there
is personal regard for Ron Plesser, there is not happiness about this
decision." Rotenberg said that Plesser's clients have great deal at
stake at FCC, including decisions on 800 number portability and
automatic number identification (ANI) that affect direct marketers, as
well as on video dial tone and access to networks. Plesser represents
"a far end of the spectrum in the policy debates," Rotenberg said. He
said CPSR's main concerns are in areas of privacy protection, public
access to govt. information, communications infrastructure. In each
of those areas, "Ron has been from our viewpoint on the opposite side
of the issue."
Rotenberg said that if transition effort is merely to be brief
fact-finding exercise, Clinton team could have sought out "someone
with less bias," perhaps in academic community. Jeff Chester, co-dir.
of Center for Media Education, said his group is "very concerned"
about Plesser because "of the special interest lobbying baggage he
carries with him." Chester said his group believes that Plesser's
appointment "places an extra burden, a double duty on the Clinton
Administration, to find people for the FCC and other
telecommunications policy positions who don't come with any kind of
lobbying baggage and reflect the kind of public interest concerns the
Commission definitely needs."
Transition team still having difficulty deciding how to apply its
proposed tough ethics requirements for Presidential appointees (CD Nov
5 p1). There's still been no decision as "to how deep the 5-year
restriction will be applied," we're told. That means, according to
sources, restrictions--when they finally come out--may not go below
Cabinet level. As for FCC appointees and top staffers (such as bureau
chiefs) brought in, it hasn't been decided whether attempt will be
made to extend period they couldn't practice or lobby agency to 5
years from one year. Proposal has been roundly criticized by
Democrats who are know to be, or expect to be, in line for top jobs in
Clinton Administration.
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