Erick reported February 15 that a Facebook group was trying to draft Stanford Law professor and free culture champion Lawrence Lessig to run for Congress. It took 5 days but they may get their way with Lessig announcing Lessig ‘08, a site that will host an introduction to his “Change Congress Movement,” (video above) as well as his yet to be announced decision as to whether he’ll run or not.
Writes Lessig
I have decided I want to give as much energy as I can to the Change Congress movement. I will decide in the next week or so whether it makes sense to advance that movement by running for Congress.
Many friends have weighed in on that decision — both strongly in favor and strongly opposed. Many more have joined draftlessig.org and a Facebook group asking me to consider it.
The first candidate to run based on support via Facebook? Maybe not completely, but it’s a headline I’m sure others may use if and when he decides to run.
I would support him if he did. No one can make a clear decision in D.C. when money corrupts the process. Hopefully either he goes on with this or gets into the Obama Administration (if he is elected).
Sincerity – fixing the root cause. They will all be against him.
I’m in the 12th district and I would vote for him. We need to get some serious personnel change and eliminate all the old, stale politicians who see holding office as a lifelong profession. Political business as usual, run by lobbyists and big business needs to end.
You wonder if Lessig would be the first candidate to run based on support via Facebook. On a similar note, on February 4 in Colombia about 6 million people (15% of the population, which would be over 50 million in the US) went out on the streets at noon in white T shirts to march against violence from the FARC guerrillas. Four students posted on Facebook an invitation to come out and march a month before.
Dear Lawrence,
congratulations to your “change congress” ideas. It would be wonderful,
if you would decide to run for congress. A democracy needs people like
you with strong honest beliefs and values. Big world problems like
climate change could only solved with America and with politicians like
you. You have my full mental support
The best thing you can do (if you’re a US citizen/permanent resident) is chip in some dough to his exploratory committee:
http://www.actb...ndraisers/18909
Wish I could vote for Lessig…..
Four students posted on Facebook an invitation to come out and march a month before.
I would LOVE to see Lessig in Congress, but he has an almost 0% chance of winning this one. Jackie Speier has the district locked up.
Well, you couldn’t do any worse then the “professional congresscritters”. I’m not sure that I agree with your “progressive” label. I’d call your attention to Jim Babka’s DOWNSIZEDC DOT ORG and Carla Howell’s SMALLGOVERNMENT DOT ORG as examples of trying to make a difference. I certainly support anyone trying to change the system. You might even be a little L libertarian in disguise.
One detail I know I disagree with you on is the “public financing of campaigns”. I would suggest that a better answer would be that a candidate can ONLY raise money directly from voters in their district. It would be a measure of their support. Taxes are basically theft. Public campaign and election financing from those stolen funds is wrong. If voters voluntarily give you money in suport of your campaign that makes it untainted.
imho, go for it.
tc comment are great
omg.. for once! someone with a god’s honest track record for change may take a run at Washington! Who better then Larry Lessig?!?!?!?!
i love this idea of “drafting” the right people for the job because the person who wants it so bad they can taste it and are constantly politicing their way through life… they are the dangerous ass holes that have jacked up our country. draft lessig… then go on and lets draft some more!! Stop letting them chose themsleves, government should be a task and a duty… not a dream come true.
bless you larry lessig for considering answering this call to attention. (although, this “considering” crap can take a rest.. its a little political, you’re running, you know you’re running… out with it already
)
He’ll at least have the best presentations of all candidates.