I think impact on media narratives is important, and you've laid out a clear argument there. But (and yeah, okay, this might be entirely wishcasting and homerism, sue me) I also think there's maybe a different audience for JB's approach that isn't reflected in the media coverage?

Me, too. I don't really know how much national coverage he gets, but he sure does attract a lot of bots.

I say in the post that he gave Dems precisely what they want. But ... that's not going to stave off fascism. That's not enough. Not by a long shot.

Not trying to pick a fight, I swear. I just see Newsom's approach as a media strategy, and, permission structures notwithstanding, there may be other less public approaches that, while not necessarily "enough" on their own, can still contribute to the fight? Thinking through this out loud.