[Thorrez]

If we go back to the original PageRank algorithm, I don't think it would be affected by this attack. The original algorithm just counts the number of links (or number of sites making links), not the TLDs. So a .com site would be just as good as a .gov site.

[HNLurker2]

Yes but they used to had, I remember correctly higher PR. Back in the day (Twitter had 10, Google had 9 and any gov had 7 atleast) I used to buy those and link to my directory webs.