How Did Google Do In Its Senate Performance?

It was not going to be a good day for Google. There is nothing positive about having your former CEO dragged before attention-seeking politicians while competitors crow that you've grown too big for your britches. The best the search giant could hope for was that Eric Schmidt did not make any unforced errors and that it would be able to control at least part of the ensuing media narrative. By these criteria, Google’s bad day before the Senate could have been much worse.

During the hearing, Chairman Eric Schmidt not only avoided any Bill Gates’ type mistakes but also got some media traction for the counter-narrative that Google is putting forth to make the regulators go away. Under this narrative, Google is a humble company that will not turn into a monopolistic bully. The firm has to be pleased that the press gave prominent play to Schmidt’s line. Schmidt was also effective in reminding the committee that Google is both a jobs machine and popular with many Americans.