Google CEO says he wont leave for Obama tech advisor job

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Chief Executive of Google Inc, Eric Schmidt, said in an TV interview on Friday that he would not want to leave Google to serve as Barack Obama's technology advisor if he was asked.

Schmidt, who is one of the president-elect's most high-profile supporters, appeared on Jim Cramer's CNBC TV show "Mad Money" to give his insights on Obama's 17-person economic advisory board.

Schmidt, who is an adviser on the board, talked about Obama's plans to revitalize the economy as well as what he called "Google's energy plan", which focuses on using solar, wind and geothermal energy in order to achieve energy independence.

He also discussed how the current economic climate is affecting Google. "Advertising is one of the first things that get cut," said Schmidt," and its almost always a mistake, because you advertise to get revenue." He added that he expects advertising to bounce back quickly.

Asked about his future plans by Jim Cramer, Schmidt responded that he had no interest in leaving Google to become Obama's chief technology advisor: "I love working at Google and I'm very happy to stay at Google, so the answer is no."

(3 replies) #1 C++ on 08 Nov 2008 - 17:02

Of course he's going to stay with Google. There's no way he'd make that kind of money no matter what government position he had.

#1.1 CdCViRus on 08 Nov 2008 - 22:41

His annual salary is a whopping $1

#1.2 C++ on 09 Nov 2008 - 10:26

CdCViRus said,

You're kidding, right? His salary is only $1 for tax purposes.

#1.3 Gareth on 09 Nov 2008 - 16:08

C++ said,

That's his salary, he makes his money on Google stocks that he owns. Dividends and selling them!

(2 replies) #2 Saarineames on 08 Nov 2008 - 17:15

Exactly. Why work for change, when you can make bank...

#2.1 Glassed Silver on 08 Nov 2008 - 17:45

Saarineames said,

ROFLMAO...
Sir, I hereby want to congratulate you and give you this prize for the "Best Pun of the Day"!

Glassed Silver:win

#2.2 Saarineames on 09 Nov 2008 - 04:43

Haha! Awesome. I'd like to thank all the serious people here, especially CdCViRus for his whopping contribution(s).

(2 replies) #3 tehporp on 08 Nov 2008 - 17:46

govt officials make way more money than u think

#3.1 Glassed Silver on 08 Nov 2008 - 17:52

tehporp said,

no they don't...
essentially they often get most of their money from nice jobs and presentations for big companies...
the governemental work itself is a rather "cheap" job in comparison.

Glassed Silver:win

#3.2 chooser on 10 Nov 2008 - 00:37

Not really. A CEO makes way more than the president.

(1 reply) #4 GreenMartian on 08 Nov 2008 - 19:30

Why does everything have to be money-related?

Maybe the guy just likes being in Google better than being a part of the government. Maybe he thinks he can do more in Google (where the public eye are more focused on the company), than being the nation's tech advisor (with all eyes on him personally).

#4.1 +Dakkaroth on 09 Nov 2008 - 02:58

Or maybe he just likes the slide in his building.

(1 reply) #5 Doli on 08 Nov 2008 - 20:07

Maybe he can still play a small role and still stay with Google. Even a little bit of help is good.

#5.1 chooser on 10 Nov 2008 - 00:38

Probably not.

(1 reply) #6 sin-ergy on 08 Nov 2008 - 21:33

Well, considering he could probably cash out his stock options for millions of dollars if he decides to leave, I very much doubt this is a money issue.

#6.1 chooser on 10 Nov 2008 - 00:38

True. He probably just likes his job. Mind blower eh?

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