-- An Important Ally

Google has a lot on the line in D.C. right now. Lawmakers are looking at privacy policies that could restrict its advertising business, and its has raised more than a few eyebrows. While Schmidt has said those decisions remain in the hands of the Justice Department, there's no doubt having a president on its side could only help Google's interests.

-- A Fellow Restriction Fighter

Obama and Google have both supported the idea of limiting Internet service providers' rate hierarchies and clamping down on ISPs' abilities to restrict content. Obama has been a long-time backer of so-called that would prevent ISPs from filtering or controlling content, while McCain has sided more with leaving those decisions in the hands of the communications companies. Google, not surprisingly, is . Principles and philosophies aside, having more people with unrestricted, high-speed access would have a clear benefit to Google's business.

Of course, only Schmidt knows how much of his endorsement is directly related to those issues and how much is a strictly personal passion. Wherever the line lies, though, it's hard to imagine Google taking great issue with his support, and it's not the only company in that position. Other Silicon Valley CEOs are expected to follow suit with announced endorsements soon, -- and we suspect Obama's campaign isn't complaining.