He's Grown in Office

The big local story was not a big national story because Mayor Gavin Newsom chose public safety over playing to the cameras. He moved Wednesday’s Olympic torch run from the crowded Embarcadero to Van Ness, which is two miles away. Many were disappointed—some because they didn’t get to see the torch and some because they were unable to preen their causes or raise havoc before an international audience. Kudos to the mayor. He’s grown in office. © 2008 Stephen Yuen

The original and revised torch route (obtained from the Chronicle).

[Addendum: See this excellent man-on-the-street article with photos.]