Campaign stunt launches a corporate 'candidate' for Congress

[Scottbrown2012]

By John Wagner
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, March 13, 2010

Murray Hill might be the perfect candidate for this political moment: young, bold, media-savvy, a Washington outsider eager to reshape the way things are done in the nation's capital. And if these are cynical times, well, then, it's safe to say Murray Hill is by far the most cynical.

That's because this little upstart is, in fact, a start-up. Murray Hill is actually Murray Hill Inc., a small, five-year-old Silver Spring public relations company that is seeking office to prove a point (and perhaps get a little attention).

After the Supreme Court declared that corporations have the same rights as individuals when it comes to funding political campaigns, the self-described progressive firm took what it considers the next logical step: declaring for office.

"Until now, corporate interests had to rely on campaign contributions and influence-peddling to achieve their goals in Washington," the candidate, who was unavailable for an interview, said in a statement. "But thanks to an enlightened Supreme Court, now we can eliminate the middle-man and run for office ourselves."

William Klein, a "hired gun" who has been enlisted as Murray Hill's campaign manager, said the firm appears to be the first "corporate person" to run for office and is promising a spirited campaign that "puts people second, or even third."

The corporate candidate already has its own Web site, a Facebook page with 2,600 fans and an online ad on YouTube that has drawn more than 172,000 hits.

The ad makes a particularly passionate case for why it's necessary to have more direct corporate representation in Congress.

In a soothing voice, a narrator bemoans that "as much as corporate interests gave to politicians, we could never be absolutely sure they would do our bidding." The ad includes images of gleaming office towers and disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff and promises Murray Hill will bring "enlightened self-interest and corporate accounting" to Congress.

It concludes with a rousing call to action: "Vote for Murray Hill Incorporated for Congress -- for the best democracy money can buy."

The firm, whose clients include labor unions and environmentalists, is seeking to enter the Republican primary for the 8th District seat held by Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D).

The firm "wanted to run as a Republican because we feel the Republican Party is more receptive to our basic message that corporations are people, too," Klein said, adding that his client has no particular beef with Van Hollen.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/12/AR2010031204127.html?hpid=topnews

[Smurf-Herder]

This is absurd.

[Scottbrown2012]

This is absurd.
You can thank the SCOTUS ruling for this happening...this firm based their decision to do this based on the ruling of corporate personhood as far as campaign funding goes.

[Smurf-Herder]

You can thank the SCOTUS ruling for this happening...this firm based their decision to do this based on the ruling of corporate personhood as far as campaign funding goes.

But Campaign Funding isn't the same thing as an Individual occupying a seat in office, debating policy and voting on passing laws.

That's like saying, I'm going to get three other people, give them each a wheel and call ourselves a Car.

[Scottbrown2012]

But Campaign Funding isn't the same thing as an Individual occupying a seat in office, debating policy and voting on passing laws.

That's like saying, I'm going to get three other people, give them each a wheel and call ourselves a Car.
I know I totally agree but that is the basis behind what this firm is doing
here is a section of the article again

William Klein, a "hired gun" who has been enlisted as Murray Hill's campaign manager, said the firm appears to be the first "corporate person" to run for office and is promising a spirited campaign that "puts people second, or even third."

The corporate candidate already has its own Web site, a Facebook page with 2,600 fans and an online ad on YouTube that has drawn more than 172,000 hits.

The ad makes a particularly passionate case for why it's necessary to have more direct corporate representation in Congress.

In a soothing voice, a narrator bemoans that "as much as corporate interests gave to politicians, we could never be absolutely sure they would do our bidding." The ad includes images of gleaming office towers and disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff and promises Murray Hill will bring "enlightened self-interest and corporate accounting" to Congress.

It concludes with a rousing call to action: "Vote for Murray Hill Incorporated for Congress -- for the best democracy money can buy."

it may have started as a joke I dont know but they are VERY serious about it now.

[Smurf-Herder]

There's also something fundamentally wrong with a "public relations company", who has paying corporate clients, representing the people. How can any decision made not be accused of being in the best interest of one or more of their clients?

It goes beyond the whole concept of lobbying, if the "Candidate" is being paid by special interests. The "Company-Candidate" would have to divest itself of all their business dealings, to conform with Congressional ethics standards - which would basically put them out of business.

The whole thing is stupid - and a huge leap from the Campaign Finance argument.