I keep reading that lead is a poor electrical conductor, but I would like to know the chemistry of why exactly it is a poor conductor.
Hmmm. I would examine your reading material. Lead has a resisitivey of 210 nano ohms-m. That is a good conductor.
Perhaps you are thinking of lead oxide, the coating on lead in the air. It is a very lousy conductor.
http://www.webelements.com/lead/physics.html
