From: ndallen@r-node.gts.org (Nigel Allen)
Subject: Clinton broadcasting and telecom policy appointment
Originator: wdp@gagme
Organization: Echo Beach, Toronto
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1992 08:34:58 GMT


There has been some criticism of Ronald Plesser, the Washington 
lawyer appointed by U.S. President-elect Bill Clinton as the 
transition official in charge of telecommunications and broadcasting 
policy issues.

Communications Daily (December 7) reports that some public interest 
groups are uncomfortable that a lawyer who represented the Direct 
Marketing Association (DMA) and the Information Industry 
Association (IIA) was named to the policy position.

Thanks to LOVE@vm.temple.EDU for posting the following article, 
excerpted from the December 7, 1992 issue of Communications Daily.
 Subject:      COM DAILY ON F.C.C. TRANSITION

     *    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.  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 known to
be, or expect to be, in line for top jobs in Clinton
Administration.
-- 


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