Notes &
I watched this video with both excitment and skepticism. Excitment because I am a fan of many of Lessig’s ideas, and I think his campaign will generate a lot of enthusiasm and ignite a much-needed conversation about how to ‘fix’ Washington. I’m skeptical, however, because of the remedy he’s suggesting: taking money out of politics. I’m open to be persuaded otherwise, but in witnessing the rise of 527’s in the post-McCain-Feingold era, I wonder if transparency—not regulation—is the better solution.
Limiting campaign contributions by lobbyists and PACs might just push that money to the fringes where its less easily tracked and (perhaps?) equally or more menacing. Asking candidates to pledge to take public financing of campaigns can also contribute to an ‘underfunded’ culture of politics. I’m looking forward to see how a potential Lessig campaign grapples with these lines of criticism.
