So, I was wondering if anyone could elaborate on something that has been puzzling me for a few years now: what is the appeal of Gavin Newsom to the residents of San Francisco? As a Bay Area resident who watches San Francisco politics from some slight remove, I have to admit that I and most everybody I know are completely mystified as to the high approval ratings of the city's mayor (over 70% despite various scandals and avoiding public meetings). For myself, he's always seemed, if not crookeder than Lombard street, at least superficial and a wee bit disreputable, like an embodiment of a caricature of a politician.

Many of us were truly shocked and appalled when he won the election against Matt Gonzalez, who to all appearances was the clearly more capable and qualified candidate, back in 2003. But then we are not residents of the city, so there's clearly something we're missing. What is it?