Google’s Eric Schmidt Not Interested in Working for Obama’s Start-up

Monday, November 10th, 2008 by Andy Beal

Google’s Eric Schmidt Not Interested in Working for Obama’s Start-up

I think it’s strange that anyone would even ask Google CEO Eric Schmidt if he’d be interested in becoming Barack Obama’s chief technology czar, let alone expect Schmidt to be actually interested.

But, that’s exactly what Mad Money’s Jim Cramer asked Schmidt.

CRAMER: ALL RIGHT, BUT LOOK, HERE’S WHAT I WOULD DO IF I WERE HIM. I WOULD SAY, OKAY, ERIC, YOU TALK A GOOD GAME. I WANT YOU TO RESIGN FROM GOOGLE AND COME TO WORK FOR ME AS MY CHIEF TECH CZAR. IF CALLED, WOULD YOU DO IT?

SCHMIDT: I LOVE WORKING AT GOOGLE, AND I’M HAPPY AT GOOGLE, SO THE ANSWER IS NO.

CRAMER: REALLY? YOU WOULD TURN DOWN THE PRESIDENT-ELECT AT THIS TIME OF CRISIS?

SCHMIDT: GOOGLE IS ITS OWN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY. LET’S TALK ABOUT THIS OWN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY. I’M READING IN THE PAPER TODAY THAT MICROSOFT IS TRYING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE COLLAPSE OF GOOGLE, YAHOO AND GET INTO VERIZON…

I love how Schmidt put all of his media coaching to good use. Here’s what you’re taught, when facing a tough question, you’d rather not answer. Find some tenuous link to the original question and then throw in something along the lines of "let’s talk about that instead." Schmidt will get a gold star from his PR folks.

Seriously though, why would Schmidt give up what is arguably the best technology job in the world? It would be akin to him leaving Google to join a start-up that had burned through it’s first round of VC money, raised a boat-load more, but now has a rookie CEO and a huge burn rate!

I think I’d stay put too. What about you?

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13 comments on “Google’s Eric Schmidt Not Interested in Working for Obama’s Start-up”

go green Says:

November 10th, 2008 at 8:31 am

It’s really hard to say. I would have a hard time leaving one of the top technology companies in the world no matter what position was offered. The only thing I would find hard passing up a position under the president and changing this country’s technology future.

go green’s last blog post..Living in Green Spaces Reduce Health Gap
Nicole Price Says:

November 10th, 2008 at 9:16 am

I would, at even just a hint from the WH!

Nicole Price’s last blog post..Ideas for a Mother-to-be
Nick Stamoulis Says:

November 10th, 2008 at 9:40 am

This is a tough question to answer but to step down from Google would be a difficult step to make. I doubt the salary would be anywhere close to what Google is probably offering.
Saad Kamal Says:

November 10th, 2008 at 10:07 am

This is huge…Working for white house. I bet he wants the job…but can’t leave google alone.

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Busby SEO Says:

November 10th, 2008 at 11:34 am

Agree with #go green : hard to say I would not leave one of the top technology companies in the world no matter what position was offered.

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Utah SEO Pro Says:

November 10th, 2008 at 12:37 pm

I bet Schmidt could get Obama to work for Google though

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SEO Tips South Africa Says:

November 10th, 2008 at 12:51 pm

I would definitely not even consider the notion for a minute. Politics and politicians are fickle, and todays big shot is tomorrow’s departee.
matt Says:

November 11th, 2008 at 9:21 am

No way would I ever leave a great current position to go work for a political office. You are then at the whim and will of the office whom you serve.
Ted Murphy Says:

November 11th, 2008 at 9:42 am

Well, if he felt that he owed his country a debt, he might be willing to make the sacrifice if called upon.

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Internet Entrepreneur Says:

November 12th, 2008 at 4:53 am

COLLAPSE OF GOOGLE? – what is that all about?

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Internet Entrepreneur Says:

November 12th, 2008 at 5:30 am

What exactly is the Obama project? Does anyone know?

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Ultimate Blackhat Says:

November 12th, 2008 at 12:36 pm

I wonder what kind of benefits he would be entitled to when working for White House?
Schmidt: Obama, energia, Apple e tutto il resto « Il Blog di Deamaltea Formazione e Energie Sostenibili Says:

January 23rd, 2009 at 10:01 am

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