I think you get it more than most anybody. Optics is primarily determined by the media coverage, I’ve seen really good people smeared by the media who did their best to do everything right. Until you control the media, Caring about optics is a losing game.

Take a look at the other side, they could riot, insult america, openly embrace communism, sniff childrens hair, it didnt matter, media covered for them. Optics doesnt matter, controlling discourse does.