Microsoft Hires Former Christian Coalition Head to Lobby for Bush, Counter Antitrust Case

Microsoft, the leading software company, has hired a former head of the Christian Coalition and a consultant to the campaign of Texas Governor and Republican presidential hopeful George W. Bush in an effort to strengthen its campaign against the government's antitrust case. The move comes as the company faces increased scrutiny from the US Justice Department and US District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson, who ruled last week that Microsoft used antitrust practices to stifle competition in the software marketplace.

As part of its lobbying efforts, Microsoft has hired Ralph Reed, the former head of the Christian Coalition, through his company Century Strategies. Reed has been advising the Bush campaign, and Microsoft is banking on Bush's support to sway public opinion in its favor. The company's chairman, Bill Gates, met with President Clinton at the White House last week, just two days after the judge's ruling, in an attempt to gain support for the software company.

Key Takeaways:

• Microsoft has hired Ralph Reed, former head of the Christian Coalition, and his company Century Strategies to lobby for the company's interests, specifically in relation to the government's antitrust case.
• The hiring of Reed is seen as an attempt by Microsoft to strengthen its campaign by gaining support from Republican presidential hopeful George W. Bush.
• The Bush campaign has stated that the governor is remaining neutral in the case, but he has previously expressed concerns about the consequences of a government-ordered breakup of Microsoft.
• US District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson ruled last week that Microsoft used antitrust practices to stifle competition in the software marketplace.
• Microsoft's chairman, Bill Gates, met with President Clinton at the White House last week, just two days after the judge's ruling, in an attempt to gain support for the software company.

Statistics:

• 1 week since US District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson ruled that Microsoft used antitrust practices to stifle competition in the software marketplace
• 2 days since Bill Gates met with President Clinton at the White House
• 2000: The year in which the antitrust case against Microsoft began

Sources:

• "Microsoft Taps Coalition for Support in Antitrust Fight" by The New York Times, April 11, 2000
• Reported by Newsbytes.com, 20000411/WIRES ONLINE, LEGAL, BUSINESS, PC/GWBUSH/PHOTO
• http://www.newsbytes.com/