A June 19, 2009 article in Telephony Online featured quotes from Venable communications practice group chair Rick Joyce. The article, titled "How consumers' groups aim to shape telecom policy," was the final entry of a four-part installment from Telephony Online that examined the likely influence that consumer groups will have in the Obama Administration.

While Democratic administrations are typically viewed as more consumer friendly, not everyone believes the previous administration was anti-consumer on telecom issues. "Kevin Martin was more consumer-oriented in some ways than you might have expected from a Republican," said Rick Joyce, in a reference to the previous FCC chairman.

According to the article, there also may be a limit to how much more of a role consumer groups can play on some telecom issues simply because those issues may not have top priority. "With so many issues to deal with - such as broadband recovery and digital television - I've got to believe those issues will be more important," said Joyce.