This is the way the Lessing campaign ends. Not with a bang but a whine.

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > C-SPAM > This is the way the Lessing campaign ends. Not with a bang but a whine.

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Sheng-Ji Yang: Mar 5, 2014

Lawrence Lessig, patron of our boy Brian Boyko, is running for President. You know he's a serious candidate because:

quote:

Lessig stressed that because � if elected � he plans to resign and leave the presidency to his vice president as soon as the Citizen Equality Act is passed, Sanders could still end up as president.

�What I would argue is that a regular candidate is an either-or proposal, what I�m talking about is an and � Lessig and Hillary or Lessig and Bernie. One would break up the corrupted system, and the other would benefit from it.
�Ideally, I would resign in a day,� he said.

If you don't know who Brian Boyko or Lawrence Lessig is and why this is the best news since Trump's announcement, read this entire thread

http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3634476

# ? Aug 12, 2015 17:00

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# ? May 6, 2024 09:20

Sheng-Ji Yang: Mar 5, 2014

heres chief strategist brian boyko's take on Lessigs chances:

quote:

I've worked with Lessig before - I co-created the Mayday PAC with him, and I would be part of his campaign team if other responsibilities (bad timing, I know) didn't come up in my life.

I think the main message is that Lessig is focused on "How." Bernie is doing a good job explaining a vision for an America free from corruption, but he hasn't really put forward a plan to end the corruption. The Senator speaks about the "long term" when it's clear (at least to me, and I think to Lessig) that Lessig thinks that if Bernie waits for the long term, he won't be successful in the short term (i.e., his 4-8 years in office.)

That said, if Bernie were to be Lessig's VP, I think Bernie could accomplish much more in his ~3.5 years as President if Lessig "takes the hit" for him, gets the Citizen Equality Act passed, leaving Bernie actually able to get through Congress the other reforms that he - and I imagine most of America - wants to pursue.

Is this a protest candidacy? I don't believe so - though it may look like one at first glance. I've gamed out a number of scenarios with his campaign team - and he has an outside chance of getting the nomination. Things would have to fall in a very specific way for that to happen -- and the campaign can only control so much -- but there are two outcomes: Lessig wins the nomination, or Lessig loses the nomination - and in the latter, he will have brought this issue forward even further, likely would end up participating in the debates and bringing every issue back to that of corruption.

In the meantime, worst case scenario, Lessig doesn't have enough delegates to win, but picks up a couple of delegates that Bernie couldn't and that would have otherwise gone to Clinton, nobody gets over 50% and we head into a brokered convention. If that happens, it is (in my opinion) unlikely a Lessig delegate would throw their second-vote support to anyone but a reformer.

# ? Aug 12, 2015 17:05

MrBims: Sep 25, 2007; by Ralp

Lessig/Bernie ticket is such a loving stupid idea

# ? Aug 12, 2015 17:06

Miltank: Dec 27, 2009; by XyloJW

Sheng-ji Yang posted:

heres chief strategist brian boyko's take on Lessigs chances:

*Nods sagely.*

# ? Aug 12, 2015 17:11

YOU A FUCKING HAT: Jun 7, 1979; I CAN'T BE STOPPED OR REASONED WITH

Lessig/Fluttershy 2016. Change you can fap to!

# ? Aug 12, 2015 17:15

Prosopagnosiac: May 19, 2007; One of us! One of us! Aqua Buddha! Aqua Buddha! One of us!

drat, I knew Lessig was a scampaigner after that Mayone PAC (and the hilarious thread it created). But this is a whole new level of craven self serving poo poo. Any votes he receives may as well be a rounding error (lol @ planning to give delegates to Bernie at a brokered convention.) This is just more of the same poo poo so he can funnel more money to his "professional campaigners" so they can take a winter vacation in the Bahamas or some poo poo.

Say this for Brony Boyko, he knows a gravy train when he sees one.

# ? Aug 12, 2015 21:22

oldswitcheroo: Apr 27, 2008; The bombers opened their bomb bay doors, exerted a miraculous magnetism which shrunk the fires, gathered them into cylindrical steel containers, and lifted the containers into the bellies of the planes.

This bullshit again? Remind me again how well MAYDAY PAC did? The defining issue of the 2014 midterms was campaign finance reform right? Good thing r/politics gave him all that money.

# ? Aug 12, 2015 22:03

Sheng-Ji Yang: Mar 5, 2014

oldswitcheroo posted:

This bullshit again? Remind me again how well MAYDAY PAC did? The defining issue of the 2014 midterms was campaign finance reform right? Good thing r/politics gave him all that money.

they spent 10 million, won almost none of the races they spent it on, lessig resigned i guess in preparation of running for prez

http://www.politico.com/story/2014/11/2014-elections-mayday-pac-larry-lessig-112617.html

# ? Aug 12, 2015 22:04

Captain_Maclaine: Sep 30, 2001; Every moment I'm alive, I pray for death!

Sheng-ji Yang posted:

they spent 10 million, won almost none of the races they spent it on, lessig resigned i guess in preparation of running for prez

http://www.politico.com/story/2014/11/2014-elections-mayday-pac-larry-lessig-112617.html

And, if I remember right, student Brian Boyko lost faith in America.

# ? Aug 12, 2015 22:08

oldswitcheroo: Apr 27, 2008; The bombers opened their bomb bay doors, exerted a miraculous magnetism which shrunk the fires, gathered them into cylindrical steel containers, and lifted the containers into the bellies of the planes.

Sheng-ji Yang posted:

they spent 10 million, won almost none of the races they spent it on, lessig resigned i guess in preparation of running for prez

http://www.politico.com/story/2014/11/2014-elections-mayday-pac-larry-lessig-112617.html

Also looking through all the stories, it looks like they mostly bought radio and internet ad spots. Money well spent chums! :thumbsup:

I remember talking about return on investment on their big reddit thread and someone told me "Lessig is a Harvard professor, I'm pretty sure they'll invest in high RoI tactics" as if they had any inkling what those were.

I could rant all day about how stupid their strategy was, but I'd rather just marvel that Brian Boyko posts to NSFW MLP forums under his actual birth name.

# ? Aug 12, 2015 22:16

Sheng-Ji Yang: Mar 5, 2014

When Lessig did the voice overs for some of Mayday�s early ads, even some of his defenders blanched.

�He does not have a radio voice. He sounds like a Harvard professor. That won�t go over well in New Hampshire,� said one operative who has been generally supportive of Lessig. �They may be the worst political ads I�ve ever seen or heard, and I�ve seen and heard a lot of them.�

Another reform advocate who has worked with Lessig said �The last thing that the progressive movement needs is another ivory tower egghead trying to play political operative and sucking up valuable donations and resources for his personal vanity project. For the sake of reforming money in politics, I wish Larry Lessig would please stop.�

# ? Aug 12, 2015 22:17

oldswitcheroo: Apr 27, 2008; The bombers opened their bomb bay doors, exerted a miraculous magnetism which shrunk the fires, gathered them into cylindrical steel containers, and lifted the containers into the bellies of the planes.

Is Lessig delusional enough to think he's a household name?

Someone needs to tell Lessig that politics is not a game and you don't get points for trying.

# ? Aug 12, 2015 22:27

Sheng-Ji Yang: Mar 5, 2014

oldswitcheroo posted:

Is Lessig delusional enough to think he's a household name?

Someone needs to tell Lessig that politics is not a game and you don't get points for trying.

he reminds me of nader, messianic complex where only him and his ideas can save america

# ? Aug 12, 2015 22:29

Tesseraction: Apr 5, 2009

May Day 2: Electric Boykoloo

This poo poo is Endless(ly Entertaining)

# ? Aug 12, 2015 22:45

oldswitcheroo: Apr 27, 2008; The bombers opened their bomb bay doors, exerted a miraculous magnetism which shrunk the fires, gathered them into cylindrical steel containers, and lifted the containers into the bellies of the planes.

Why isn't Boyko working on Lessig's campaign, you ask?

Note: I generally try to stay away from "doxxing" people and will delete this post if there's a consensus that I'm crossing a line, but c'mon, his reddit username is his actual name. The only thing we don't know about this dude is his social.

# ? Aug 12, 2015 22:49

MizPiz: May 29, 2013; by Athanatos

Some of the magic from the MayOne.us thread:

Captain_Maclaine posted:

And, if I remember right, student Brian Boyko lost faith in America.

# ? Aug 13, 2015 00:49

MrBims: Sep 25, 2007; by Ralp

mayonnai.se

# ? Aug 13, 2015 01:00

Mc Do Well: Aug 2, 2008; by FactsAreUseless

If Brian Boyko and Ben Lesnick ever touch a singularity will occur. This is not a fat joke.

# ? Aug 13, 2015 01:21

potato of destiny: Aug 21, 2005; Yeah, welcome to the club, pal.

What would Brian Boyko do, if he was here right now? He'd gently caress a pony rear end or two, that's what Brian Boyko'd do.

# ? Aug 13, 2015 02:45

exmarx: Feb 18, 2012; The experience over the years
of nothing getting better
only worse.

important click

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5h67u-BaisU

# ? Aug 13, 2015 03:02

MrBims: Sep 25, 2007; by Ralp

DNC debates: 6

DNC debates Lessig will be present at: 0

That 1% poll litmus test will do its job.

# ? Aug 13, 2015 03:55

Alfred P. Pseudonym: May 29, 2006; And when you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss goes 8-8

Exclamation Marx posted:

important click

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5h67u-BaisU

I really hate looking at his forehead

# ? Aug 13, 2015 04:20

Prosopagnosiac: May 19, 2007; One of us! One of us! Aqua Buddha! Aqua Buddha! One of us!

Exclamation Marx posted:

important click

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5h67u-BaisU

"There's a Hack in my PAC!" Or "The Hack in the PAC Comes Back"

By Dr. Seuss

# ? Aug 13, 2015 06:02

MizPiz: May 29, 2013; by Athanatos

Prosopagnosiac posted:

"There's a Hack in my PAC!" Or "The Hack in the PAC Comes Back"

By Dr. Seuss

Hack with PAC Comes Back on the Attack.

# ? Aug 13, 2015 06:57

Duckbox: Sep 7, 2007

Exclamation Marx posted:

important click

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5h67u-BaisU

It took me far too long to realize that this was supposed to be poetry.

# ? Aug 13, 2015 07:46

Lastgirl: Sep 7, 1997; Good Morning!
Sunday Morning!

Lessig posted:

Ideally, I'd resign in a day.

# ? Aug 13, 2015 07:49

Duckbox: Sep 7, 2007

Seriously one of my biggest pet peeves is amateur "poets" that don't even seem to know what meter is or what words rhyme with other words.

I never got to post in the goldmine thread, but I was sort of amazed no one made fun of his posts talking about what a great writer he is because every time he strings more than five words together it comes out as unreadable garbage.

I guess it fits with his terrible colored pencil drawings, his unendurable comedy videos, his ear-burning songs and all the other tossed off art "projects" he's so inordinately proud of though.

# ? Aug 13, 2015 07:57

sexpig by night: Sep 8, 2011; by Azathoth

Didn't The Young Turks jerk this guy off surprisingly hard, too? I remember some legitimate mainstream source was blowing him and his dumb 'no see if you make a SuperPAC for ME, then I'LL stop superPACs, with your SuperPAC money! Get money out of politics by putting money in my politics!"

# ? Aug 13, 2015 17:52

MizPiz: May 29, 2013; by Athanatos

Tatum Girlparts posted:

Didn't The Young Turks jerk this guy off surprisingly hard, too? I remember some legitimate mainstream source was blowing him and his dumb 'no see if you make a SuperPAC for ME, then I'LL stop superPACs, with your SuperPAC money! Get money out of politics by putting money in my politics!"

I had the idea when I was hosed up once. Then again, my version required robbery and money laundering to actually work, so it was a more realistic approach.

# ? Aug 13, 2015 18:49

sexpig by night: Sep 8, 2011; by Azathoth

I think every political nerd who gets hosed up has thought of that. My plan was to run as a 'pro-business' type and suck up to all the rich guys and then when elected cackle and reveal that I was a socialist the whole time and then...I dunno not get elected again?

# ? Aug 13, 2015 19:20

Bobby Digital: Sep 4, 2009

Tatum Girlparts posted:

I think every political nerd who gets hosed up has thought of that. My plan was to run as a 'pro-business' type and suck up to all the rich guys and then when elected cackle and reveal that I was a socialist the whole time and then...I dunno not get elected again?

Literally my idea when I was 15.

# ? Aug 13, 2015 19:47

Duckbox: Sep 7, 2007

Some day, I hope a shifty-eyed "pro-business" Republican with a power tie and Reagan hair will pull me aside, quickly scan the vicinity for potential narcs, and then launch into an unhinged stoner rant about how he's taking the system down from the inside. Even if didn't believe him, I think I still might be impressed enough to vote for him.

# ? Aug 14, 2015 15:08

maker: Jun 1, 2010; by Nyc_Tattoo

Tatum Girlparts posted:

Didn't The Young Turks jerk this guy off surprisingly hard, too? I remember some legitimate mainstream source was blowing him and his dumb 'no see if you make a SuperPAC for ME, then I'LL stop superPACs, with your SuperPAC money! Get money out of politics by putting money in my politics!"

Yeah the host supports him fully. I don't understand why. It's obvious that he's not electable and his campaign is just a waste of time and resources. Anyone who knows even a little about politics can see that

# ? Aug 14, 2015 15:11

Fuckt Tupp: Apr 19, 2007; Science

The Slate Political Gabfest podcast dedicated a lot of time this week to point out how "silly and dangerous" Lessig's plan is.

Needless to say, it's loving great.

Actual quote: "I don't think [the message] is that bad because I don't think that many people are going to care about what he has to say."

Fuckt Tupp has issued a correction as of 21:20 on Aug 14, 2015

# ? Aug 14, 2015 21:16

Sheng-Ji Yang: Mar 5, 2014

lessig is now saying he will only run if people give him a million dollars. this seems like a bargain imo.

https://lessigforpresident.com/

lessig platform: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqk5of8LgLE

# ? Aug 14, 2015 22:09

HUGE PUBES A PLUS: Apr 30, 2005

http://www.eclectablog.com/2015/08/...nouncement.html

quote:

It�s a gimmick.

It�s a distraction.

It�s a waste of time, money, and attention.

It�s also a bit egocentric.

Other than that, it�s ok.

Larry, I�m talking, of course, about your announcement that you want to run for President. Here�s my response.

First, who am I to make such pronouncements? See footnote 1, below.

Second, why should I care? The short answer is: I don�t want our movement about money in politics (and there is such a �movement�, which is growing and learning as it develops) to waste time, money, energy and resources. Detours are counterproductive.

Third, I don�t want to see one of the best and most effective leaders of this movement go down a political rabbit-hole. Don�t destroy your credibility.

Now, why do I think your idea actually is an unrealistic gimmick, incapable of producing the results you want, and otherwise counterproductive?

Let�s start with the scheme or �hack� as you call it. You seek and gain election, and then � after Congress miraculously (more on this later) adopts your proposals � you will step aside and an unnamed Vice President will take over.

I have a few questions about this arrangement:

Just who is this Vice President going to be?
How does this VP stand on other issues?
Who decides, and how is it decided, when the conditions are met to trigger you resignation?
What happens if Congress doesn�t pass what you want?
I doubt voters will consider voting for you until they have answers. Saying you will deal with these issues later doesn�t cut it as a current response.

You are asking for money, resources, and my time, right now. You should deal with these questions now.

I also doubt voters will buy into such a scheme in the first place. It�s too vague, too unusual, and too unpredictable. Frankly, it�s simply too strange. It�s a big unknown.

Why did you put this temporary Presidency into your �hack� in the first place? Why complicate things? Strange, again.

NEXT: Do you really think folks will actually choose to vote for a President on one issue only?

I don�t.

Don�t get me wrong. I agree with you completely that ending the corruption of big money in the political system is fundamental to dealing with any of our political and social problems.

This is the issue that has been front and center in my political work for the past four years. I know the issue is key.

But the world is complicated. So is politics. There are a lot of other issues that need to be addressed. This is reality.

Our movement must deal with that reality, not deny it.

In coalition building it is not useful to tell others they must delay their efforts until we finish the agenda for campaign and electoral reform. We should employ strategies that work with, not against, other needed, progressive reforms.

Your presidential campaign will probably raise righteous issues. But your campaign, as proposed, looks like it will be a one-dimensional sideshow in the larger Presidential arena.

Is it better to be part of the main show (as is, by the way, your strategy to interject the money in politics issue in the New Hampshire primary through the New Hampshire Rebellion) or to be an ignored but politically pure sideshow? I�d rather have the former, however complicated and unpredictable it may be.

NEXT: Your proposed campaign in the Democratic primary is a change from your former posture on the crosspartisan nature of the corruption/democracy issues of big money in politics. However limited crosspartisan efforts may have been so far in our movement, your choice now to put your campaign into one party�s primary closes the door to you working with the other.

You have repeatedly promoted bipartisanship on this issue. You frequently note how it polls across party lines.

Now, do you really think Republicans will support you as a Democrat in either the primary or general elections?

I don�t.

NEXT: I used the term �miraculously� to describe your scheme�s approach to Congress. I used the term because I don�t see anything in your proposed candidacy that will impact Congressional elections. Remember, in your strategy Congress must pass the legislation you propose before you resign.

It is highly unlikely the current Republican Congress would support such legislation. At this point it also looks like it is unlikely the 2016 elections will produce a significantly different Congress. How are the necessary changes to the makeup of Congress to be accomplished?

Or do you think Congress will pass your proposals simply because you were elected? Why? Remember, there is an underlying problem with the influence of money in Congress.

Also, regardless of the makeup of Congress, there are serious questions about what it might or might not do. It�s simply unknown.

Do you really think Congress will adopt the legislation because you, as President, propose it? Or just because you won the election?

I don�t.

On this question, ask President Obama what can happen.

Last year you organized a Congressional strategy through Mayday PAC. I supported Mayday PAC, financially and by phonebanking. Organizationally, ROAD promoted Mayday PAC�s endorsed candidate in Michigan�s 6th District.

Like most people I have limited resources and time. In 2016 what should my priority be, Mayday PAC or your candidacy?

Don�t just respond to this question by saying �both�. My real point is the big picture. How do your Mayday PAC and Presidential Campaign strategies relate to each other? What should WE do? Will the two groups compete for limited resources?

NEXT: Speaking of �priorities�, I must comment on your dismissal of Bernie Sanders candidacy in Sam Stein�s Huffington Post article because he didn�t put this issue first in a list on a campaign document.

Really?

With due respect, please deal with the substance of Bernie�s position on this issue, and please don�t depend on a superficial and probably irrelevant order of placement on a list. Tell us � those whose support and money you are soliciting � what your real issues are with Bernie. And why. BTW, on 8/11/15 a check of Bernie�s website showed an issues list with money in politics as #2. Does this make a difference?

On this issue you and Bernie should be working together.

LAST: You use an analogy to a �hack� as shorthand for your strategy.

I do not believe this issue can be solved by a �hack�. I also think the term is confusing.

My dictionary includes several definitions for �hack�. One definition is as programming language for a �reconciliation� of a fast development cycle and static language. I assume you�re using the term in this sense and roughly use it here to mean a reconciliation or a fast procedure.

My estimate is that most voters do not use programmer�s language. They will be puzzled by the language. The term is frequently used to mean illegal or unauthorized entry into another person�s computer. I�m sure you don�t intend this to represent your strategy.

But in response let me use another analogy: We�re engaged in a marathon, not a sprint. The issues involved here are both complicated and dynamic (i.e., they are constantly changing).

One �hack� in 2016, even if clever and successful, will not solve the problem of money in politics.

The problem of money in politics will persist. Similarly, our strategy to confront it must also continue and evolve.
Footnote 1: Stuart Dowty is the Chair of Reclaim Our American Democracy (ROAD) Against Big Money. ROAD, a grassroots group located in Washtenaw County, Michigan, works to end the influence of big money in politics. (See ROAD�s Mission Statement at https://www.reclaimouramericandemocracy.com) Stu is a retired trial attorney. He also holds a MA degree in political science from Michigan State University. After retiring from law practice Stu worked as a Deputy Supervisor for 3 years in local township government. A political activist since college days Stu also has served as Chair of the Washtenaw County Democratic Party. The opinions in this article are the authors and do not represent organizational views of ROAD.

# ? Aug 14, 2015 22:20

TEAYCHES: Jun 23, 2002

there is zero reason for lessig to run with sanders in the race other than to be a delusional egotist

# ? Aug 14, 2015 22:29

MrBims: Sep 25, 2007; by Ralp

TEAYCHES posted:

there is zero reason for lessig to run with sanders in the race other than to be a delusional egotist

You don't understand, with the internet you can do anything!

# ? Aug 14, 2015 22:43

oldswitcheroo: Apr 27, 2008; The bombers opened their bomb bay doors, exerted a miraculous magnetism which shrunk the fires, gathered them into cylindrical steel containers, and lifted the containers into the bellies of the planes.

I'll put my name on a presidential primary ballot if you goons give me a million dollars. We have to fight against people who aren't me in politics!

# ? Aug 14, 2015 23:16

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# ? May 6, 2024 09:20

Pener Kropoopkin: Jan 30, 2013

Tatum Girlparts posted:

Didn't The Young Turks jerk this guy off surprisingly hard, too? I remember some legitimate mainstream source was blowing him and his dumb 'no see if you make a SuperPAC for ME, then I'LL stop superPACs, with your SuperPAC money! Get money out of politics by putting money in my politics!"

Yes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_rPerxz7hI

# ? Aug 14, 2015 23:35

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > C-SPAM > This is the way the Lessing campaign ends. Not with a bang but a whine.

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