Electoral System That Lessig Hopes To Reform Is Keeping Him Out of the Debate (usatoday.com)

schwit1 writes: Lessig has raised a million dollars, which is nothing to sneeze at, but he's being given the cold shoulder by the Democrats when it comes to participating in the debates. I think he's got a good argument for being included — he's certainly as serious a candidate as some of the others, and I'm hearing a lot about his campaign.

Why are they keeping Lessig out? According to Lessig, it's for the same reason he wants in: "My view is that if we can get this message [of reform] into the debate it would change the dynamics of this Democratic primary entirely. This issue framed in this way totally blows up the Democratic primary."

Hillary and Bernie, he says, are promising the moon to voters, but can't deliver. Lessig told me, "If I can get on that stage and say the rocket can't get off the ground, and we have to change this dynamic first," the narrative shifts in a way that the leading candidates can't address.

Comments

Democrats, not the "Electoral System"

[sycodon]

It's the Democrat Party and the media that is keeping him out of the debates. The Electoral System has nothing to do with it.

Re:Democrats, not the "Electoral System"

[aaron4801]

Yes, this is important. The Democratic Party and the Republican Party are not public entities, they are private groups formed and populated by people with agendas. If I'm a registered Socialist, the Democratic party has no obligation to let me run on their ticket or participate in their debates. The interests don't necessarily align.
Lessig isn't a Socialist, but is running on a platform of blowing up the system. Why on Earth would an establishment player want to support that platform?
He'd get farther by using the cash to start blowing holes in the notion that the US must only have two parties. Granted, he wouldn't get very far that way, either, but until voters give up the idea that we always have to choose between the lesser of two evils, that's all we'll ever end up with.

Re:Democrats, not the "Electoral System"

[squiggleslash]

It's largely the media, who themselves are following the lead of the public, and it's because he's just not that interesting. The public isn't showing any massive interest, and he's not an established politician who's due coverage simply by virtue of being a congressman, therefore he doesn't get covered.

The Democratic party doesn't really care who runs as long as (1) they don't topple an establishment candidate and (2) they don't make the Dems look like loonies.

Is Lessig charismatic and well known enough to get any interest beyond coverage in some nerd sites? No. Really, no. I'm sure his heart is in the right place, but issues like "Will I still have a job in four years", "How am I going to afford my cancer treatment?" and "Am I safe when I leave my house" trumps many, many, issues people here care about that Lessig is promising to address, from the outrageous evil that is not being able to copy a Nicki Minaj single onto an a DRM-free MP3 until 2127, to electoral reform.

Re:Coronation my ass - Hillary!'s public execution

[ColdWetDog]

If any serving member of the armed forces had done what she did they would be living in the Fort Leavenworth bed and breakfast for years.

A certain General Patreaus might disagree with you. Now, if you were talking about just peons, then you have a point. But the double standard is enchantingly broad.

Re:Whoops!

[Darinbob]

There's no legal framework for a debate. It's all up to entertainment value and if the networks want to have a debate. Anyone can form their own debate at any time, and hope others show up.