In the past few weeks, certain members of the former Clinton Administration have cast their lot with the telephone and cable companies in the Net Neutrality debate. Former White House Press Secretary Mike McCurry fronts for one group. Former Al Gore campaign manager Donna Brazile is working with Verizon.
Until now, the only Clintonista on our side has been Robert Reich, the former Secretary of Labor, who came out for Net Neutrality in a radio commentary.
Now, we have a real-life Clinton on our side:
May 18, 2006
Statement of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton on Net Neutrality
Washington, DC – “I support net neutrality. The open architecture of the Internet has been the critical element that has made it the most revolutionary communications medium since the advent of the television.
Each day on the Internet views are discussed and debated in an open forum without fear of censorship or reprisal. The Internet as we know it does not discriminate among its users. It does not decide who can enter its marketplace and it does not pick which views can be heard and which ones silenced. It is the embodiment of the fundamental democratic principles upon which our nation has thrived for hundreds of years.
I have always, and will continue to strongly and unequivocally support these principles. As I have worked throughout my Senate career to make broadband access readily available throughout New York State and our nation, I believe that maintaining an open Internet coupled with more broadband access is necessary if we are to meet the promise and the potential of the Internet to disseminate ideas and information, enhance learning, education and business opportunities for all Americans and improve and uplift our citizenry.
We must embrace an open and non-discriminatory framework for the Internet of the 21st century. Therefore, it is my intention to be an original cosponsor of the Dorgan and Snowe net neutrality legislation to ensure that open, unimpaired and unencumbered Internet access for both its users and content providers is preserved as Congress debates the overhaul of our nation's telecommunications laws. Any effort to fundamentally alter the inherently democratic structure of the Internet must be rejected.”