Satire site targets GOP candidate Jane Corwin

www.janecorwin.org

Go to janecorwin.com, and you'll find the official site of Jane Corwin, a Republican seeking the New York congressional seat vacated by Republican Chris Lee, who resigned in the wake of revelations he had sent a shirtless photograph to a woman he met over craigslist.

But go to janecorwin.org, and you'll find something that looks like Corwin's site but is actually quite different. It includes lines like "protecting the status quo & taking your tax dollars" and a fake press release claiming " Corwin Outlines Comprehensive Pandering Strategy."

"Jane Corwin, successful daughter of rich people and candidate for New York's 26th Congressional District, today outlined a comprehensive pandering strategy to say she'll decrease gas prices because that's what our polling research said people want to hear," the fake press release begins.

A pop-up box designed to look like a traditional email address or donation solicitation encourages people to hand over their Social Security number. "Together we can make delicious soup from the bones of the poor," it reads.

A search revealed that the site was registered to Ian Murphy, the Buffalo Beast editor who fooled Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker earlier this year by posing as conservative financier David Koch during a phone call. Murphy then released a recording of the call to the public.

Asked why he had created the fake website, Murphy said, "We thought Jean deserved a more honest website."

He told Hotsheet he was "very" surprised the domain name was available, and claimed that it had gotten 40,000 hits in three days. He said the site, which he created with colleague Allan Uthman, was meant as satire.

Asked if the inclusion of the words "heil Jane Corwin" were meant to suggest Corwin is a Nazi, Murphy said no, responding that he "just thought that was how Republicans spoke."

Murphy said his goal with both the fake site and the Koch prank is "pointing out the truth when it's lacking."

He added: "It's gonzo, right?"

Murphy is actually on the ballot against Corwin in the May 24 special election, on the Green Party line. A poll released Friday found Corwin with 36 percent of the vote, followed by 31 percent for Democrat Kathleen Hochul, 23 percent for Tea Party candidate Jack Davis and five percent for Murphy.

Matthew Harakal, a Corwin spokesperson, told the local Batavian online newspaper in response to the satiric site that "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."

Corwin is just the latest candidate to get burned by an outsider setting up shop at a web address that would seem to belong to the candidate. The site jonhuntsman.com, which one would assume belongs to potential GOP presidential candidate Jon Huntsman, currently features a positive note Huntsman sent to President Obama. The site is actually run by a Democratic activist.

[dzaffina]

hikerdan,judging by your post (and your previous posts as well) you like to call people names - must make you feel better... Wonder - why?you are rude and mindlessly loyal...another liberal extremist... Would expect just a little more independent thinking from you... Probably shouldn't... now go look up the definition of hypocrite.

[wdrussell1]

The satire site is probably closer to being honest.
Corwin, part of the billionaires vs America hit squad.

[reluctantzealot]

Democrats are so sleezy.

[HikerDan]

God save us from yet another liberal extremist...

[jimbom121]

Not sure why this is a story. This happens all the time by both parties. Its why candidates usually buy up every domain name that even resembles their names.

[san850]

Get a grip rightwingnuts. All you want to read is anything that will defame, villify, and tar and feather President Obama. That's what you eat, sleep, and breathe...it's your entire existence.

I agree with MarineVet64...why don't you stay glued to FAUX News and get your daily overdose of hatred for our President. And every once in a while, go to Sara Palin's Facebook page...you will also find ample amounts of hate and lies there as well.

[jgg000101]

nah, what is painfully obvious is that CBS does not, and will not, report on anything that might possibly cast a bad light on obama. There is a direct correlation to CBS' reporting, katie couric's firing, and why CBS news is ranked last among the networks.

[jimbom121]

What does this have to do with Obama?

[Harden_Tar]

If this was done to a Democrat, it would be "dirty tricks" at the least. More likely it would be "hate speech" or racist or sexist, depending on the victim. CBS is a leftist organization. Everyone knows it, so why should they care?

[AOCGUY]

yawn

[Well_You_Aint_Me]

I see you tuned into FOX News early this morning.

[jgg000101]

cbs, why is this news and the new unemployment and gdp reports are ignored? Why do you run this article - which is nothing more than a publicity release for this stunt - and completely ignore that the value of the dollar reached a 3 year low yesterday? Why do you report this story about jane corwin - who nobody, including republicans have ever heard of - and completely ignore new polls that show all time lows for obama, and his handling of the economy. The more articles I read by brian montopoli, and stephanie condon for that matter, the more I am convinced they are polyps on obama's duodenum.

[jgg000101]

marinevet, you are another polyp on obama's duodenum! CBS didn't report any of what I stated - even in their financial news. And cbs is also not reporting on china divesting itself of US dollars, or the whitehouse lying about removing the SF Chronicle reporter from the WH press pool. And CBS also didn't report on the 2,400 marines from camp lejune who were sent to Libya. If anybody is "anti-American" it is you as evidenced by all of your posts. I'm sure you had a stellar career in the Revolutionary Guard, but wait, CBS doesn't even report on Iran anymore and how they stand to benefit from the turmoil in the middle east and continue their nuclear weapons development while our CIC (a complete joke who the majority of our military doesn't trust) continues to campaign, shoot hoops, play golf, and do oprah.

[HikerDan]

Marinevet, judging by your post (and your previous posts as well) you like to call people names - must make you feel better... Wonder - why? Seems that you are rude and mindlessly loyal - whatever His Excellency will do you will enthusiastically approve. That is right mindset for the North Korea voter... Whatever said against the Dear Leader is said against the country... Right? Would expect just a little more independent thinking from you... Probably shouldn't...