Sen. Kamala Harris (and Gov. Gavin Newsom.) Are you ready for your closeup?

Next week's democratic convention is a big stage

If you follow Bay Area politics, you’ve got to like next week’s Democratic convention.

As you’ve heard, Favorite daughter Sen. Kamala Harris (Berkeley/San Francisco) has just been catapulted into the national spotlight as Joe Biden’s choice as a Vice Presidential running mate.

And favorite son Gov. Gavin Newsom (San Francisco) will step also have a turn on the big stage with a plum speaking role on the final day. It’s a sweet spot — nothing to lose and everything to gain.

This is a day when you remember how Harris and Newsom have orbited each other as peers in political ambitions. It was never officially reported, but there must have been a meeting at some point where it was agreed that Newsom (52) would go for the governor’s mansion and Harris (55) would shoot for the senate.

It has worked out nicely for them both.

First, one way or another, Harris was going to be a story. Slo-mo Joe finally made his choice on Tuesday, but Harris was going to be the focus either way. Cause if you didn’t pick her, and she was seen as the leader in the clubhouse, why not? And please be specific.

And if it was that Harris was too mean to Gentleman Joe in the debates, he’d have a problem. First, that’s not a good reason. People attack opponents all the time in political races.

But second, because Biden would have to answer the are-you-sure-you-aren’t-just-threatened-by-an-ambitious-woman-of-color questions. And there are no good answers to those questions.

This will also be a chance for the country, especially Democrats, to take another look at Harris. Her campaign for president began in fire and ended in drama, disarray and back-biting. So, like those of us who now wish we’d paid more attention to Elizabeth Warren, let’s revisit candidate Harris.

Now she’s slotted in for a prime time convention speech on Wednesday night, the day before Biden accepts the nomination. The world will be watching.

Newsom, meanwhile, is walking into the biggest speech of his career. Well, not as big as his 7 1/2 hour State of the City speech in 2008, but you know what I mean.

A word of caution. Under no circumstances should Newsom re-channel that stem-winding mayor who wanted to tell you everything about anything. Short sentences. Easy on the rhetorical flourishes. This is not the time to bust the time limit. Maybe throw in a story about kids and family.

Newsom has scored the coveted final day slot, on the evening Biden accepts the nomination. It’s a big opportunity.

And let’s just say, we tease about his long-windedness, but he can be good in these settings. Whatever he’s running for, he’s going to be the candidate with ideas. And ideas are an appealing trait for a politician.

And that’s all great, except that in 2020, everything is different.

Instead of over 20 hours of TV coverage of the convention, with reporters going live from the convention floor, this will be all virtual. And as a result, TV coverage is expected to be more like eight hours over four nights.

So everything will be condensed. The lineups for speakers seem a little fluid. We know the names but not necessarily the order, so some ambitious people may not make a TV appearance.

And there are lots of choices. To me, that kind of represents the Democrats right now. They’re looking at fresh faces, like Harris and Newsom. And everyone marvels at all the talented up-and-comers.

Which reminds me of professional golf . . .

Wait, wait, hear me out.

There are a ton of hot young professional golfers now. At the PGA Championship at Harding Park last Sunday, there was a time when nine were tied for first place on the last day. Very exciting.

The only thing is . . . golf is most popular and TV ratings soar highest when there is an Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus or Tiger Woods — a single dominant player that is world-famous and everyone is trying to beat him. (See column below.)

But I think the concept applies here. Most assume that Biden is not a two-term president. Nor the future of the party. He’s said so himself, saying he’s a “bridge” candidate.

Part of this convention, this showcase, is finding someone who can be the dominant voice and identity of the party. And hopefully, the face of the nation.

Because the Republicans already have one.

Seriously? You still haven’t subscribed? Do you remember that time you had a flat tire and I came over and fixed it? And I said, “All I ask is, if I ever write a newsletter . . .” Plus it’s free.

The PGA comes to SF’s Harding Park — hey, I’ve been behind that tree.

It was surreal that the PGA Championship was at Harding Park, San Francisco’s public course in San Francisco last weekend.

First, it was weird because the pandemic meant that there were no spectators, even if over 90 of the world’s best golfers — yes, including Tiger Woods — were there.

But it was even stranger because most local golfers have played Harding at one time or another. It was fun to see these elite, world-class golfers play the same holes we do. (Although from tees that are much farther back.)

When Rory McIlroy hit his drive left on 14, I actually gasped, watching on TV. I’ve done that. The ball goes way down the steep slope and over the side of a drop-off. It’s gone. And Rory’s was.

As I said in my Sunday Santa Rosa Press Democrat column, the golf was great. The weather cooperated with some sunny afternoons and the old course held up well, meaning the golfers didn’t tear it up with something like 30 under par.

But I still say, golf is best where there’s a star. It isn’t Tiger any more, so who will it be?

You know what a great way is to feel better during the pandemic? Sharing things. Like best wishes, snapshots and . . . well newsletters. For example, here’s a button to share this one.

Ever wonder why some NFL franchises never win? New 49er Trent Williams doesn’t

We may not have football in 2020. Just sayin’. With college programs postponing their seasons, the pressure will be on the NFL to do the same.

We will see. Those owners have proved to be very brave about risking the lives of their players, so they may bulldoze through this. Hope that isn’t a big mistake.

Meanwhile, the 49ers made new offensive tackle Trent Williams available via Zoom, and as mentioned in this 49ers blog it was interesting that he noticed a different “vibe,” as soon as he go to the 49ers.

Which makes sense. He came from Washington, one of the worst-run franchises in football. Back in the day, when Al Davis really was one the brightest minds in football, he used to say, “It starts at the top.”

To which Williams might say, true that.

Contact C.W. Nevius at cwnevius@gmail.com. Compliments and suggestions gladly accepted. Complaints not so much. Twitter: @cwnevius