“But who would be a better nominee than Gavin Newsom!?” May I suggest:

- Tim Walz
- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
- JB Pritzker
- Cory Booker
- Blåhaj

@arilin What vaguely worries me is that we're building up such a head of anti-Newsom steam that we're going to get a repeat of '24. I'm far from arguing that Newsom is the best choice, but if it comes down to Newsom vs. Vance or Rubio and people stay home again because they'd rather do that than vote for Newsom, even if that's basically voting against Trump III Electric Beegalee, then we're going to be in a world of hurt.
@chelivan It's a concern, but I'm really hoping I don't have to make that call come the next election. Given a choice between Newsom and a Trump protégée, I'd vote for Newsom—but I'd just like to see Democrats put someone forward who I genuinely like. And, I don't think Democratic party operatives are really "pricing in" how aggravated more leftist Democratic voters are with the perception that they keep being taken for granted.