Larry Lessig to Replace Lantos?

by JimmyThing [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

I'm a big fan of Larry Lessig's blog, which used to be called Lessigblog, and now Lessig 2.0. Howard Dean blogged there in 2003 and for the 2008 nomination he's supporting Barack Obama. His work at Stanford and legal/philosophical work is legendary. So it was with great excitement I found a diary at Daily Kos published earlier in the week, with a little bit of supporting evidence, suggesting that Lessig could announce he's running for congress. It might even be as soon as this week:

Rumors have been swirling in the past 24 hours that Professor Lessig's plans include running for Congress to replace Lantos.

(...)

I have a Kevin Bacon-like connection to Professor Lessig through some organizations he's affiliated with. I probably shouldn't say which, or I might not hear things like this moving forward. So I can't give a source, but I believe I am hearing something credible because it's coming through the right channels.

Why do I think this is more than chatter? It has been no secret that Lessig has been viewed as a possible judicial appointee under a Democratic administration. So it's not such a leap to think that having considered future public service, that he would consider electoral service. Those of us who have seen his speeches know he certainly has the chops.

Then there are other hints. When Lantos announced his cancer and retirement, Lessig posted a short item on his blog, expressing condolences and thanks. The title was "My congressman is retiring" which is only slightly suggestive. But then the first comment, from an unknown source, said: "Run, Lawrence, run!"

And then this was picked up by Valleywag too:

Lessig stands a chance of boosting his profile by tackling the issue of corruption -- not the tired political charge, but the larger systemic issues that underlie the rot in our political system. He will deliver a speech on the subject this Thursday. If he has intentions to make the law, not just study it, then that occasion is as good as any to announce a run.

Unfortunately I live just outside his district, in Redwood City, so I would have to move if I wanted to do more than donate. But I am sure I would at least do that.

And I check in here enough to know that Bob is big on Jackie Speier. I don't want to take anything away from her, and I voted for her for LG last time. But I definitely am intrigued by the idea of a real geek in congress.

Lessig is famously (and controversially) changing his focus from technology to corruption in politics, and it does make sense that he would go all in, to find out what's wrong from the inside. In the meanwhile he would be a great voice for net neutrality, which I think is the sleeper issue of the 2008 race.

I know Senator Speier has some support, but I'd like to know what others think. So please vote in my poll. Is this a pipe dream?