It's clear that Comcast has never liked FCC chairman Kevin Martin. The FCC boss rarely sees a baby bell position he doesn't like (in part thanks to more sophisticated lobbying by AT&T and Verizon), but has consistently been a thorn in Comcast's side about everything from P2P throttling, to most recently, high cable TV prices. While Comcast generally hides their disdain pretty well, Martin's likely departure next year has apparently loosened their tongue. In a week where Martin is once again probing high cable pricing, Comcast gave the FCC boss a verbal smack:Comcast, who pretty consistently comes in last place in customer satisfaction rankings, is an easy target for Martin, who is pursuing a post-FCC political career in North Carolina. Given Comcast's low popularity, and a general public disdain for high TV prices, Martin's cable "investigations" (whether it's his failed cap on cable growth or his investigation into Janet Jackson's breast) are a nice way to earn brownie points among certain voters. But you'll notice one recurring trend: they almost always fail to actually accomplish anything (which also pleases those in his base who believe that deregulation is the path to telecom nirvana).

But Martin isn't dumb -- the commissioner is generally considered one of the more politically savvy and ambitious FCC bosses in the agency's history. Either way, Comcast will be happy to be rid of him. Well, maybe not that happy, given the team Obama has tasked with finding Martin's replacement is unapologetically pro-consumer. Whomever they pick might actually launch investigations and inquiries that aren't just stage-dressing.

The bad news for Comcast is that the vetting of Martin's replacements could last up to six months. Quick tip: wait until after the key regulator who oversees your industry leaves office before very publicly calling him a moron.