By participating in the debate, presumably Lessig could have at least gotten his issue out there. As others pointed out months ago in reference to Sanders[1],

By participating in the debate, presumably Lessig could have at least gotten his issue out there. As others pointed out months ago in reference to Sanders[1], a "win" wouldn't necessarily be getting the nomination, but in getting the nominee to endorse positions that they wouldn't have otherwise. [1] http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/bernie-sanders-president-announcement-liberal-alternative-2016-democratic-primary/ http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/bernie-sanders-president...