Your parenthetical aside is rly interesting - I've been surprised by his leadership on this bc it could also end any presidential ambitions he may have. He might now be a household name even outside of CA, but half of voters are in a cult loyal solely to Trump. (Either way, glad he's fighting.)
He’s betting on Trump exhaustion from swingables and meanwhile is using this tactic to get people to overlook the fact that he brings no real electoral advantage as governor of a bright blue state (where he is unpopular enough that he might not even win CA in a primary against stronger candidates)
Thank you, that reconciles his actions w/ the motivations I knew him to have... Californians' opinion of him is definitely complicated, myself included lol I guess we have to see who the primary candidates are.