There’s an episode of The Simpsons where Mr. Burns, billionaire nuclear-power-plant owner and villain of Springfield, decides to run for governor against the incumbent, Mary Bailey. During a war-room meeting, Mr. Burns’s campaign manager lays out their challenge: “While Gov. Bailey is beloved by all, 98 per cent of the voters rate you as despicable or worse. That’s why we’ve assembled the finest campaign team money can buy.”
