Microsoft Hires Lobbyist to Influence Bush Campaign on Antitrust Case

Microsoft has quietly hired a senior consultant to former Governor George W. Bush's presidential campaign, Ralph Reed, to lobby the Bush campaign in opposition to the government's antitrust case against the software giant. The company aims to curry favor with the Republican presidential nominee, hoping he will speak out against the government's case and take a softer approach towards Microsoft if elected. Microsoft has also hired Century Strategies, a firm run by Mr. Reed, to lobby other political candidates as well.

Key Takeaways:

• Microsoft has hired Ralph Reed, a senior consultant to Governor George W. Bush's presidential campaign, to lobby the Bush campaign in opposition to the government's antitrust case.
• Microsoft aims to curry favor with the Republican presidential nominee, hoping he will speak out against the government's case and take a softer approach towards Microsoft if elected.
• Century Strategies, a firm run by Mr. Reed, will also lobby other political candidates on behalf of Microsoft.
• Microsoft has donated more than $727,000 to political parties during the current election season, with 53% of it going to the Republicans and 47% to the Democrats.
• Microsoft is planning to recruit senior Bush supporters from around the country to write letters to Bush saying they believe the government's case is misguided and that the American people oppose it.
• The company is offering regional contractors $300 a letter to solicit these letters.
• Microsoft has a history of trying to write public opinion polls that guarantee an outcome, including a poll conducted by Zogby International that ranked the Microsoft antitrust case dead last.
• Tom Miller, the attorney general of Iowa, believes the poll was "slanted" and that Microsoft has a history of trying to influence public opinion.

Statistics:

• Microsoft has donated more than $727,000 to political parties during the current election season.
• 53% of Microsoft donations have gone to the Republicans, while 47% have gone to the Democrats.
• Microsoft has a history of trying to write public opinion polls that guarantee an outcome.
• A poll conducted by Zogby International ranked the Microsoft antitrust case dead last, with questioners asking respondents how they ranked their state attorney general's pursuit of the Microsoft case against other issues.

Sources:

• The New York Times, "Microsoft Hires Lobbyist to Influence Bush Campaign on Antitrust Case" (no date provided) [1]
• Center for Responsive Politics [2]
• Zogby International (mentioned in the article, but not cited as a source)