Yahoo was immediately popular, in part because it (do) something no one else (do). The company quickly (become) iconic.
Now its story (get) blurry. it fight Microsoft for the crumbs of search that Google (not control)? it try to emulate and somehow outdo social-networking sites like MySpace and FaceBook?
The company's confusion (work) to Decker's advantage, predicted Ellen Siminoff, another former Yahoo executive.
"Everyone (write) stories about how Yahoo (not do) anything right. If she (do) a few things right, the comparisons will be great," Siminoff said. Decker's first task: "She (have to) bring in some people."
Decker, who (have) three children, (desribe) by friends as an enthusiastic runner and excellent skier.
"If you imagine going fast with control, that's the kind of skier she is," said Geoff Ralston, an independent investor who (work) with Decker at Yahoo.
She (need) that skill. Decker (rise) rapidly - she (promote) from CFO to head of the Yahoo Advertiser and Publisher Group only six months ago. But when companies are perceived to be faltering, Wall Street (tend) to be merciless.
A new CEO still be brought in from the outside, said Solomon, who now (head) the travel search engine SideStep.
"The board (not know) whether Jack Welch or Jesus Christ or Sue Decker is the right person at this time to lead Yahoo," he said. "They just (know) it's not Terry Semel."

Adapted from The Seattle Times