Google spent most of last year doing battle with AT&T and Verizon, who collectively operate one of the most powerful lobbying forces on K-Street. From funding artificial consumer advocate groups to getting the Department of Justice to regurgitate your own talking points on network neutrality, the baby bell policy guys are the best in the business.

Other than their recent agreement that there shouldn't be broadband taxes, Google and the incumbent phone operators just don't get along. They're on completely different sides of the fence when it comes to issues like network neutrality and truly open wireless networks.

While there certainly are legitimate privacy implications, a lot of the opposition to Google's purchase of DoubleClick was drummed up the baby bells and Microsoft, who obviously don't want Google's slice of the advertising pie to grow too large. The Los Angeles Times (non-reg version) explores that 2007 was a crash course in lobbying for Google, who all things considered made it through with some substantial victories under their belt.