Insider Chatter by Donna Bogatin

John Earnhardt, Cisco Systems Worldwide Government Affairs, gets Google, the new Google Public Policy Blog, that is.

I wrote of the new Google governemental PR cum blog initative earlier today: “don’t expect Google to deliver on a vaunted ‘real conversation’ it touts in proclaiming its Public Policy Blog.”

In Google Masters Art of Influence Peddling, I referenced, among other things, Google CEO Eric Schmidt’s refusal to take press questions at the recent Google sponsored Public Democracy Forum in New York City and the Google media blackout on its otherwise open to the public Distinguished Speaker Series at the NYC Googleplex featuring Google luminaries such as the “father of the Internet,” Vint Cerf.

As I, Earnhardt is also skeptical of Google’s vaunted claims today, wondering as well just how “real” a Google “marketing” driven blog “conversation” can be; He even playfully mocks Google’s “head of global public policy,” Andrew McLaughlin (undoubedtly in a good natured way!):

“We hope this blog will serve as a resource for policymakers around the world — including legislators, ministers, governors, city councilmembers, regulators, and the staffers who support them — who are trying to enact sound government policies to foster free expression, promote economic growth, expand access to information, enable innovation, and protect consumers.”

Wow! Did he leave anybody out?

How refreshing to not have to hear more corporate double speak in repsonse to corporate doublespeak!

Why IS Google so afraid of really engaging with the public? Cisco’s Earnhardt apparently wants to know; I have asked just such a question many a time.

Google is riding high. Not only does the $160 billion market cap corporation enjoy unprecedented search market share worldwide, super profit margins, power over all of the U.S. presidential candidates…Google, the corporation, IS LOVED, by its users.

Why isn’t Google confident in all its glory?

I wrote this morning about how Google achieves its massive server farm build out in the U.S. by intimidating state governments. I have personally witnessed Google’s “organize all the world’s information and make it universally accessible” hypocricy, at the Google sponsored Personal Democaracy Forum and at the NYC Googleplex.

Will Google heed Cisco’s warning?:

If you try to use the blog to engenger grassroots or “user” support, then all you’ve done is turned the blog into a marketing device.

Unfortunately, it is unlikely that Google will take the Cisco blogging words of wisdom to heart given that Earnhardt’s earnest advice is contrary to the Google DNA.

As I have oft said, Google’s secret weapon is a four letter word: SPIN!

ALSO: How Google Triumphs Over Yahoo: Schmidt vs. Semel

CONTACT DONNA BOGATIN