Obama-Supporting Internet Companies Afraid Of Becoming Targets

“I know your deepest secret fear.” – Jim Morrison

The Hill:

…Obama hasn’t always seen eye to eye with the leaders of the tech world. Steve Jobs, in particular, delivered some harsh criticism to the president, according to a new biography. During a 2010 meeting, Jobs reportedly told Obama bluntly that he would be headed for a “one-term presidency” if he didn’t adopt a more business-friendly approach.

Tech firms have also shown a greater interest in working with Republicans since they took control of the House last year. Many have expressed support for the GOP’s emphasis on reducing taxes and regulations.

Companies are also wary of getting too close to Obama and becoming a political target.

Google Chairman Eric Schmidt, for example, campaigned for Obama in 2008, and Republicans questioned the president’s ties with the company when a number of Google employees joined his administration.

Many tech companies have made a concerted effort in the past year to shed their image as liberal allies. Facebook hired Joel Kaplan, a deputy chief of staff to President George W. Bush, as its vice president of U.S. public policy in May. Last month, Facebook hosted an online discussion with the “Young Guns,” three leading House Republicans.

Firms contacted declined to comment on donations by employees.

“Microsoft’s PAC and individual employees support a variety of candidates across the political spectrum; however, we cannot speak to the personal reasons our employees decide to give to any particular campaign,” said a Microsoft spokesman in response to a request to comment for this article

A Google spokeswoman also declined to comment, citing a policy against discussing employees’ personal donations.