[parasubvert]

"But every time he wades into electoral politics he does so in ways that are so desperately naïve that they'd be funny, if the stakes weren't so high."

Same was said about a big-eared Senator from Chicago with a funny name, that gave a good political speech in 2004.

Lessig is trying to find a mix between himself, the platform, and the process. You need to be naive if you ever hope to solve any seemingly intractable problem.

[jacobolus]

Obama was a career politician with lots of support and credibility, a best-selling author, and a charismatic speaker, with an absolutely incredible campaign organization. He was running on an anti-war platform during a highly unpopular war.

Lessig doesn’t have any of those things.

[parasubvert]

Obama released his first book to coincide with his first political campaign. And his second book 1 years prior to announcing his run for president.

Lessig is a reasonably charismatic speaker.

The rest I agree, Lessig is no Obama.

Look, I don't expect Lessig to make much of a dent in 2016. I wouldn't say he'll never make a dent. The only way TO make a dent is to naively keep trying, and learning, and being willing to look dumb in the process.

[jeffdavis]

"Same was said about a big-eared Senator from Chicago with a funny name, that gave a good political speech in 2004."

Totally different situation. People recognized Obama's potential as a politician, even if they didn't agree with him. They only doubted how far he would go in that period of time.