Newsom apologizes for French Laundry dinner, says he will practice what he preaches on COVID-19

[diva77]

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-11-16/gavin-newsom-apology-french-laundry-dinner-covid-19


By Taryn Luna, Phil Willon
Nov. 16, 2020
1:55 PM
SACRAMENTO —

Gov. Gavin Newsom apologized Monday for visiting a Napa Valley restaurant with people from other households, saying his behavior contradicted the spirit of the safety guidelines and precautions he has asked Californians to adhere to during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I want to apologize to you because I need to preach and practice, not just preach and not practice, and I’ve done my best to do that,” Newsom said. “We’re all human. We all fall short sometimes.”

Newsom acknowledged that the faux pas may result in a loss of his moral authority on the coronavirus as California experiences a major surge in cases. The governor discussed his own behavior on the same day that he announced a reversal of his reopening plans and ordered 28 counties to return to the purple tier — 94% of Californians will be under the state’s most restrictive guidelines as of Tuesday.

SNIP

[BigmanPigman]

1. Tony Bourdain went there in 2001/02 with A Cook's Tour

I would die to be able to eat there. However, Newsom made a stupid move. That was just dumb!

[diva77]

2. Thanks for the link - I've never seen that show.

Good for Newsom for apologizing. I have a feeling he figured 'it's easier to ask forgiveness than to ask permission'

[Ms. Toad]

5. And the same is likely true of Pelosi with the freshman dinner -

but someone posted a picture before she could carry it off (and apologize, after the fact, rather than being forced to cancel it).

[SunSeeker]

3. Wow, that place is amazing. I can see why Gavin wanted to go there!

Last edited Tue Nov 17, 2020, 09:03 AM - Edit history (1)

Should have gone with a smaller group, like Bourdain did--but no trying your dinnermate's food like Bourdaindid! LOL. However, it does not appear Gavin had any control over the number who showed up, and did not anticipate that many people:

California’s COVID-19 safety guidelines limit the number of households at a private gathering, but do not explicitly impose those same rules on restaurant patrons. State guidelines updated in November allow private gatherings of no more than three households at a park or outdoor space. Rules for dining say restaurants should “limit the number of patrons at a single table to a household unit or patrons who have asked to be seated together,” without stating any limits on the number of households that can sit at a table.

Newsom said Monday that he’s visited restaurants three times since February, twice with his wife and once alone.

“As soon as I sat down at the larger table I realized it was a little larger group than I had anticipated and I made a bad mistake,” Newsom said of the dinner at the French Laundry. “Instead of sitting down, I should have stood up and walked back, got in my car and drove back to my house.”

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-11-16/gavin-newsom-apology-french-laundry-dinner-covid-19

[JI7]

8. So was he part of the whole group or what ?

How did he not know that ?

[SunSeeker]

12. He did not organize the dinner. He was an invitee.

Have you gone out to dinner with your friends since February?

[marlakay]

4. Hubby and I went there for our first anniversary

In 2001 so around same time, my most expensive dinner but totally worth it!

[abqtommy]

6. Governors who apologize are good but governors who don't have to apologize are better!

[SunSeeker]

13. Trump never apologizes. You think that's better? nt

[abqtommy]

16. No. A clear reading of what I wrote should reveal all.

[SunSeeker]

17. LOL

[Dorian Gray]

7. Shocking that a man

who was once married to Kimberly Guilfoyle makes terrible decisions.

[lagomorph777]

10. Yikes. I wonder which he regrets more? I can't imagine marrying Kim Gargoyle.

[LisaL]

9. That's our scandal-a guy ate in a restaurant.

Now compare this to republican scandals.

[helpisontheway]

11. You should have seen how they attacked our governor in VA

because he did not wear a mask outside on the Virginia Beach boardwalk. It happened during the spring. He was there right before he allowed them to reopen. I think someone approached him for a selfie and people flipped out. He admitted he was wrong but many people will not let it go.

[JI7]

14. It's their need to feel like a victim . Just like Pelosi's salon appointment

and the reaction to that.

The right wing is very much about feeling like victims . They get off on it .

[cwydro]

22. Doesn't make it right.

This kind of thing just tells people that following the rules is optional.

[Dorian Gray]

24. It was a birthday party

at a 350$ per person restaurant. Exactly what his government is telling others not to do.

Terrible optics. (And I thought the Nancy Pelosi thing was BS.)

[Paladin]

15. When everybody gets tired of this Democratic circular firing squad shit...

...trump's doing some genuinely evil stuff over on the other side. Your attention is warranted.

[cwydro]

18. We can't ignore it when our side does stupid and /or counter-productive things.

There’s always a hue and cry here when some dickweed right wing politician does it.

It’s the worst kind of hypocrisy not to expect our leaders to do the right thing.

[SunSeeker]

20. He did the right thing. He apologized. How long should we bash him for this 1 mistake?

[chowder66]

23. They wore masks, were outside and he's apologized. I'm good with it.

If they were indoors, without masks...I would have been more upset.

I'm pissed at the people who are not practicing any measure of safety.

[SunSeeker]

19. Indeed. nt

[LisaL]

21. My feelings exactly.

NT