Cox’s radio daze

The most telling line of Monday’s gubernatorial debate came near the end, when Republican John Cox accused Democrat Gavin Newsom of trying to “paint me as ... different on so many issues.”

Newsom certainly did, which was clearly his goal going into the debate on KQED-FM, and why he was the undisputed winner. Newsom’s comfort with his own positions — and Cox’s discomfort with his — was evident throughout the 60minute session.

Time and again, Cox found himself on the defensive when Newsom challenged the GOP candidate about past statements. Cox exhibited a particular bit of frustration when Newsom brought up the Republican’s positions on concealed weapons and other gun control issues.

“I’m not running to change one iota. I’m not,” Cox said.

Here is a good rule of thumb in American politics: If your best answer to a controversial issue is that you’re not going to do anything about it, you’ve lost the point in a debate.

Newsom was decidedly more sure-footed on the issue, pointing to his role in extending background checks to ammunition sales and reminding listeners that Cox regarded gun laws as “a waste of time.”

When the subject turned to climate change, Cox was again awkward in calling the newly passed legislation to move California toward 100 percent renewable energy sources a “wonderful goal” — but one he opposed because it would drive up electricity prices. He claimed he was “not an ideologue” on the subject and acknowledged that the planet was warming and that human activity might be a factor.

Newsom did not hesitate to point out the caveats and contradictions, noting that Cox supported President Trump’s move to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris climate accord.

Cox tried to score points by highlighting their differences on immigration, but that only put Newsom on the offensive. “The wall is a monument to stupidity,” said Newsom, because many of the people here illegally arrived here by air and overstayed their visas. He called it a “sixth century solution of a 21st century problem.”

On housing, Cox was asked for specifics on reforms that could promote new construction. “We’ll talk about that after I get elected,” he said.

His dismal performance on Monday should reduce the chances that will happen.