Lessig Decides Not to Run For Congress

micheas writes "Larry Lessig has decided that running for U.S. Congress himself in a special election would be too risky to his Change Congress movement and has decided not to run. 'With lots of mixed feelings, I have decided a run for Congress would not help the Change Congress movement. I explain the thinking in this 5 minute video (a new record for me!). First question: What happens to the contributions to Lessig08? As explained on the ActBlue page, all will go to (the yet to be established) Change Congress organization.'"

Jackie Speier is a better candidate anyway

[senahj]

Don't get me wrong; Lessig is indispensible, unparalleled in the areas in which he focusses his attention. But Ms. Speier is a pro, and has been preparing for this seat for a long time. Even though I think the world and all of Lessig, if there were a runoff, I'd take Speier for this slot. So it's wonderful that I don't have to make that choice. If you're one of the people who were getting ready to work to get Lessig elected: consider supporting Ms. Speier's campaign [jackieforcongress.com]

Re:Come on

[langelgjm]

I see your point about the Google cache, but I visited the donation page a week or more ago, and it did mention what would happen to the money if he decided not to run.

Re:Who is Lessig and what is 'Change Congress"

[NeutronCowboy]

Two quick URLs:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_Lessig [wikipedia.org]
http://lessig.org/blog/ [lessig.org]

In short, he's a very smart (arguably brilliant) legal mind who thinks that the current copyright system is the result of corrupt practices by media corporations and the complicit congress. He has unsuccessfully tried the legal route (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/technology/articles/eldredprimer_100902.htm [washingtonpost.com]) and is now working on the corruption aspect of the issue.

Re:Bait and Switch

[stevenstremciuc]

he was going to run before he told us some pretty important information like, which party ticket?

I thought he made it pretty clear that he was considering running for the Democrat nomination against Jackie Speier.

But if he had continued the run the most likely outcome would be that he would split the progressive vote and let a Republican in.

Apparently you haven't paid any attention at all to what's been happening but have no problem at all spouting off a bunch of BS.

I know, I know, I must be new here.