Looks like Google’s lobbying efforts are still in early beta despite the considerable investment over the past year and the emphasis on raising the company’s D.C. profile.  Co-founder Sergey Brin made a rare visit to the Hill this week but only managed to argue Google’s case for net neutrality to a few senators. Most telling, he did not meet with U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), head of the Senate Commerce Committee; Stevens so far has been able to keep net neutrality requirements out a major bill he has proposed.  Brin told the Washington Post the trip was a last-minute decision on his part and admitted it wasn’t well organized.
Brin: “We are a seven-year-old company. Having policy that really significantly affects us is kind of new to us. We are doing the best we can. I think we are putting in a pretty good effort, but we don’t have, you know, 30 or 100 years, or however long telcos have been lobbying Congress.”
Google is being portrayed in advocacy ads funded by AT&T, among others, as trying to keep the phone companies from providing television choice by opposing the legislation.
Update: CNET: On the net neutrality front, Stevens said Wednesday that he might alter his own legislation to acknowledge net neutrality. The House could start debate on its own version as early as Thursday.