The Washington Post today looks at Google’s D.C. strategy as it hopes to avoid Microsoft’s fate. Google’s lobbying move is old news, but their investment is already paying off. Microsoft conceded to change Vista’s desktop search to avoid antitrust suits, lead by Google’s complaint. And presidential candidates are taking notice; four candidates met with Google executives and personnel and the company will host two debates.

During Microsoft’s early days, the company avoided politics partly leading to the onslaught of antitrust suits friendly lobbyists might have help them avoid. Google has learned their billions of dollars can buy valuable friends on Capitol Hill.

“The entire tech industry has learned from Microsoft,” Alan B. Davidson, head of Google’s Washington office, told the Washington Post. “Washington and its policy debates are important. We can’t ignore them.”

It’s scary, though. While Google has helped grown and develop the internet, showing the world search was important, there’s always the question of what’s next. Google sits on billions of dollars with no stop in sight, making any plans they may have for world domination a reality.

Google watched Microsoft get spanked by the same regulators its befriending and is structuring a future where they can prevent that from happening to themselves. These lobbyists aren’t there because Google will avoid antitrust violations or monopolistic tactics. No, they are there because Google is confident they will. Not very “do no evil.” As Robert McLaws points out: “When looking at any new Google venture, swap out the word “Google” with “Microsoft” and ask yourself if you’re still OK with what’s happening.”

Not ironically, Microsoft now has a massive lobbying body as well.