"It's our democracy," declares public relations firm, Murray Hill Inc, in a press release explaining why the corporation is running for Congress. "We bought it, we paid for it, and we're going to keep it."
Within seconds of the Supreme Court's Jan. 22 ruling throwing out campaign finance restrictions on corporations, on the basis that their legal "personhood" gave them a constitutional right to freedom of speech, the Web swarmed with bitter commentary from (actual) human beings upset with the decision. One oft-retweeted joke: "Corporations will be allowed to marry each other before gay people." Also popular: Why not dispense with the whole charade of government and allow corporations to run for office directly?
Murray Hill Inc., a PR agency with a track record of representing union and environmental groups, has seized on this dissatisfaction and transformed it into pure comic gold. (Thanks to Catherine Rampell at the New York Times' Economix blog for the tip.)
Murray Hill Inc. plans on filing to run in the Republican primary in Maryland's 8th Congressional District. Campaign Manager William Klein promises an aggressive, historic campaign that "puts people second" or even third.
Philip K. Dick would be so proud. Watch the campaign ad, and laugh. Or cry. Or simply appreciate some great advertising for a public relations agency. Your choice.
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