This well-stated posting Ian Grigg and Adam Shostack is worth reading, as well as other remarks in the same forum.

When Verisign chose to hijack DNS for their own commercial advantage, they clearly demonstrated that they should not be entrusted with such an important responsibility. It is absurd to extend our trust to them again.

The Internet works because of open standards safeguarded by disinterested parties. There must either be a total separation between this management and corporate interests, or those corporate interests will tend to abuse their power to legislate monopolies for themselves. Verisign has demonstrated that they intend to do exactly that with any power that is granted them.

Those of you who have influence in such affairs should carefully consider the options, and exert this influence to have Verisign eliminated from the running.