But after the two Republican commissioners took office, they quickly adopted a plan to impose price controls in California.

That means there is plenty of time for you to line up the two Republican commissioners and have the rule delayed - or worse.

Ultimately, the three Republican commissioners gave Univision their approval, blessing the deal with a 3-to-2 vote along party lines late last year.

With the two Republican commissioners often voting together, Mr. Kennard has had to make fundamental compromises to keep the two other Democrats in line.

The three Republican commissioners have indicated they will support the changes, so they are expected to pass.

The personal tensions are expected to subside when the commission has a chairman whose views are more in line with those of the two Republican commissioners.

The three Republican commissioners, led by the chairman, Harvey Pitt, voted to appoint William Webster.

The two had dissented from the agency's decision, supported by its three Republican commissioners, to relax the rules.

In an effort to put elections above politics, it was made bipartisan, with two Republican commissioners and two Democrats.

"This system is definitely archaic," said Joseph Del Bagno, one of two Republican commissioners on the board.