1. A computer-implemented method, comprising: performing, by a network node, distance-vector routing with one or more network neighbors to determine a network topology for a computer network; receiving a namespace-join message that specifies a publisher in the computer network that is to provide content objects for the namespace; constructing an acyclic graph that includes one or more publishers for the namespace, and includes one or more forwarder nodes that form network paths between the one or more publishers; receiving, from a first neighbor in the acyclic graph, a first core advertisement for a first publisher in the acyclic graph that is to function as a core for the namespace; receiving, from a second neighbor in the acyclic graph, a second core advertisement for a second publisher in the acyclic graph that is to function as a core for the namespace; comparing information on the first and second core network nodes to elect a core for the namespace; responsive to electing the first network node as the core for the namespace, forwarding the first core advertisement to the second neighbor and the elected core, and storing the core election in association with the namespace, wherein the core election specifies a namespace, and specifies a publisher in the acyclic graph that is to function as a core network node for the namespace; and responsive to receiving an Interest message that specifies a name prefix associated with the namespace, forwarding the Interest message along the acyclic graph to one or more publishers associated with the namespace.