During yesterday's YouTube question time with the president, the question voted number one by CitizenTube visitors in the "jobs and economy" category was this one, from James Earlywine of Indianapolis:

An open Internet is a powerful engine for economic growth and new jobs. Letting large companies block and filter online content and services would stifle needed growth. What is your commitment to keeping the Internet open and neutral in America?

Obama's answer was spot on:

I'm a big believer in Net Neutrality. I campaigned on this. I continue to be a strong supporter of it. My FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski has indicated that he shares the view that we've got to keep the Internet open, that we don't want to create a bunch of gateways that prevent somebody who doesn't have a lot of money but has a good idea from being able to start their next YouTube or their next Google on the Internet. This is something we're committed to. We're getting pushback, obviously, from some of the bigger carriers who would like to be able to charge more fees and extract more money from wealthier customers. But we think that runs counter to the whole spirit of openness that has made the Internet such a powerful engine for not only economic growth, but also for the generation of ideas and creativity.

Save the Internet's Tim Karr responds:

As the FCC prepares to make new rules on Net Neutrality this spring, it's important to hear Obama take a stand. Obama's statement comes on the heels of other prominent public officials expressing their support of Net Neutrality and Internet freedom, including FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. "I hope we can do this again," Obama said at the end of the interview. "This gives me great access to all of the people out there with your wonderful ideas. " It also gives all of us great access to those in power. And isn't that what protecting the open Internet is all about?

The FCC rule making is critical, and given the strong support of Net Neutrality in the current FCC is likely to give us some breathing room. But regulations can be changed by the next FCC appointed by a hostile president. Congress needs to act, giving Net Neutrality the full weight of law. They have some time to do that, thanks to the FCC, but needs to act this session on Rep. Ed Markey's H.R. 3458, the Internet Freedom Preservation Act.