Google and Microsoft compete in search, cloud computing and Web services, but their battles extend from boardroom bargaining with customers to the nation's capitol. Google spent $4 million on lobbying in 2009, up from $2.84 million in 2008 and almost three times the $1.52 million it spent in 2007, according to figures compiled by the U.S. Senate. Microsoft's own lobbying spend plummeted from 2007 and 2008, where it was around $9 million, to $6.72 million.