The Googlization of Everything

WSJ.com:

* OCTOBER 20, 2008

Google CEO Backs Obama
Schmidt Expands Political Role by Hitting the Campaign Trail
By MONICA LANGLEY and JESSICA E. VASCELLARO

Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt in Washington earlier this year. He has advised the Obama campaign on technology and energy issues.

Although the Internet-search company has numerous issues pending on Capitol Hill, Mr. Schmidt said in an interview that "I'm doing this personally," adding that "Google is officially neutral" in the campaign.

Mr. Schmidt said his planned endorsement of the Illinois senator is a "natural evolution" from his role as an informal adviser to the Obama campaign.

The Google chief plans to join executives from other technology companies to announce their support for Sen. Obama. Sunday, Sen. Obama received an endorsement from Colin Powell, who was President George W. Bush's first secretary of state.

Congress is considering measures that could have an adverse impact on Google's business, including laws that could limit companies' ability to deliver personally targeted online advertisements and rules that would allow telecommunications companies to charge different prices for different levels of Internet service.