Google CEO supports Obama

WASHINGTON: Google chief executive Eric Schmidt plans to endorse Barack Obama this week and campaign for the Democratic presidential candidate, The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday. “I’m doing this personally,” Schmidt said, adding that the Mountain View, California-based Internet search giant was “officially neutral” in Nov 4 election.

The Wall Street Journal said Schmidt planned to join executives from other technology companies in announcing their support for Obama and would appear at an event in Florida with the Democratic candidate.

Republican candidate John McCain enjoys the support of former eBay CEO Meg Whitman, Cisco CEO John Chambers and former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina. But the high-tech sector views Obama more favourably than McCain. The Wall Street Journal said that as of August 31 Google employees have contributed $4,87,355 to Obama’s campaign and just $20,600 to McCain’s.