How Google beat the feds

Google escaped from a nearly two-year federal antitrust probe with only a few scratches by proving that the best defense is a good offense.

Instead of ignoring Washington — as rival Microsoft did before its costly monopolization trial in the 1990s — Google spent about $25 million in lobbying, cozied up to the Obama Administration and hired influential Republicans and former regulators. It even consulted with the late Robert Bork and The Heritage Foundation, while meeting with senators like John Kerry (D-MA) to make its case. In other words, these traditional outsiders worked the system from the inside. This calculated and expensive charm offensive paid off Thursday when the FTC decided not to challenge the company's dominance of the Internet search business in court, and settled a nearly two-year investigation with what critics allege was a slap on the wrist.