“State attorneys general say they are determined to pursue
the antitrust case against Microsoft, even if the Justice
Department, under President-elect Bush, tries to back
away.”
“We hope and assume that the Bush administration would fully
pursue the Microsoft case through all stages, including the Supreme
Court, if that’s necessary,” said Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller,
leader of the 19 states that are co-plaintiffs in the case with the
federal government. “However, if for some reason they don’t, we
have made a commitment to pursue this case to the end.”
“Bush’s recently appointed assistant for economic affairs,
Lawrence Lindsey, said six months ago that the Clinton antitrust
policy was “radical” and needed change. Lindsey said at the
Republican Convention in August that a Bush administration would
have “greater sensitivity” to “respecting the private sector and
respecting the need for innovation and profitability long-term,”
specifically mentioning Microsoft.”
“The states have a new obligation in light of such remarks, said
one of the leading state attorneys general in the case. “I think
the lead order has now shifted hands and the states have it,”
Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said.”