The Power and the Money

Has Google captured the Obama administration?

I am in Snoqualmie, Washington, outside Seattle, talking about intellectual property and hanging out with the same GOP-centric establishment crowds I always hang with on the West Coast.

One interesting comment came up in a discussion of whether, when and how to start lobbying the next administration against weakening patent rights: 

“The Clinton donor map and the Obama donor map are similar but not the same. The Clinton map skews south and east, with the hope that the next administration will be less Silicon Valley dominated than this one.” 

This is interesting on three levels. First, the belief that the Obama Administration is in Google’s pocket. Second, the belief that Hillary will not be in Google’s pocket. Third, that donor maps are determinative of political positions, at least on small-bore issues like patent reform.

Are these things true?

(These are Meg Whitman’s peeps. Only one Trump supporter among them.)

Did the world just change?

 Oh, hell yes, if this report pans out. Not only will the energy sector change, but many of those who defend our current system of intellectual property will need to rethink. 

But remember, it is preliminary.