Kleiner Perkins' Shiny New Partner (and Newly Minted Nobel Laureate)

Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, the high-profile venture capital firm, has just signed up a new high-powered lobbyist—oops, make that "hired a new partner." It's former Vice President and Nobel Prize winner Al Gore.

Gore is a smart guy who understand and science and technology, and his duties as venture capitalist will range far beyond the political schmoozing of a simple celebrity frontman.

But no question his primary contribution will come in the form of influence in Washington and in capitals around the world, where the clean and green V.C.'s are seeking to mold government policies and legislation to benefit their own energy investments.

Nothing shocking about hiring former politicos as lobbyists. But it will be interesting watch and see whether the moneymen in traditionally free-market Silicon Valley seek to end subsidies for the oil, gas, nuclear and other traditional energy industries to give their alternative startups a fairer shake at competition; or, more likely, whether they'll try to nuzzle their heads into the fast-growing trough of energy subsidies, trying to distort markets their way.

So far the signs are not good.

by Russ Mitchell