bytes and ballots

So, Google is entering politics ... with netPAC. Here's some details from a recent story in the San Jose Mercury News:

Google NetPAC, launched last month, is contributing to three Republicans, including two of the most endangered GOP House members. In the past, Google executives have given overwhelmingly to Democrats and liberal groups.

The Republican recipients include Reps. Heather Wilson of New Mexico and Deborah Pryce of Ohio, whose districts are now rated as a tossup in the Nov. 7 election, and Rep. James Sensenbrenner of Wisconsin. He chairs the Judiciary Committee, which has jurisdiction over some Internet commerce laws.

...

The new Google PAC also gave $1,000 each to two Democrats: Rep. Anna Eshoo of Palo Alto, whose district includes Google's headquarters, and Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, who is running for re-election.

The even-handed PAC contributions contrast with the Democratic tilt of Google employees.

Out of 145 contributions from Google executives and employees in the past two years, all but four went to Democrats and liberal groups including moveon.org, according to data from Political Money Line, which tracks money in politics.

One top executive, Vint Cerf, gave $2,000 to New York Democratic Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign. Several employees gave to Ned Lamont, the anti-war candidate in Connecticut who defeated Sen. Joe Lieberman in the Democratic primary.

During this year's debate over Net neutrality -- a complex battle between Internet companies and telecommunications giants over future regulations and pricing -- telecom lobbyists worked to marginalize Google as a ``liberal'' company.