Harvard law prof explores Democratic presidential bid financed through crowdsourced funding
Larry Lessig. File photo by Wayne Slezak.
Harvard law professor Lawrence Lessig says he will seek the Democratic presidential nomination if crowdfunding helps him raise raise $1 million by Labor Day.
Lessig tells the Washington Post his aim is to run as a “referendum president” who will serve until Congress passes a package of reforms dubbed the Citizens Equality Act. His website Lessig for President is here. How Appealing links to stories on Lessig’s presidential announcement by Politico and the Huffington Post.
“This is not a ‘Rent Is Too Damn High’ campaign,” Lessig told the Huffington Post, referencing a 2010 gubernatorial campaign by New Yorker Jimmy McMillan. “This is a campaign about how we need to intervene to make democracy possible again.”
Lessig’s proposed Citizens Equality Act would:
• Fund campaigns by giving every voter a voucher to contribute to congressional and presidential campaigns. Matching funds would be provided for small-dollar donations. New ethics limits would “restrict the revolving door between government service and work as a lobbyist.”
• End political gerrymandering and create “multi-member districts with ranked choice voting for Congress.”
• Guarantee an equal right to vote by enacting voting rights legislation, creating automatic voter registration, and shifting election day to a national holiday.
If he doesn’t raise $1 million by Labor Day, Lessig says he will return the money to his donors. If he gets the money, and wins the presidency, he will serve until his reforms are passed, then will turn the presidency over to his vice president.
Possible vice presidents on a Lessig ticket could be U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren or U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, who is currently seeking the Democratic presidential nomination.
See also:
ABAJournal.com: “Law prof’s super PAC reaches fundraising goal; aim is new campaign-finance system”
