I think you are right.
Most people here do not follow the regime media, and if they do it's to find funny or bizarre stories to "own the libs".
Understanding the regime has become much more difficult since the installation of Biden, almost like figuring out the USSR based on who stands where for the May Day parade.
But both the WaPo and NYT ran competency stories about Biden starting around Christmas 2022, and at first they were of the "some people say" variety, but they've become more numerous and more frequent since then.
It's obvious they will not put him up in November 2024. The how and why remains opaque, as befits the hidden people in charge.
Some people here are still obsessed with the Clintons, but lots of Democrats didn't want her in 2016, and none of them want her now.
Running Michelle Obama as Evita is a winning idea, but as many have pointed out, were she to become President, it wouldn't be a no-show job like it was for Biden, and I imagine she enjoys her life of privilege too much to give it up.
Newsom has huge female support, which will grow with Whitmer on the ticket, and should Whitmer become VP I imagine she will be put in charge of internal security, as she has shown aptitude for that type of work.
Most voters do not follow or care about politics the way we do. They can barely bother to vote, and when Newsom is announced <90 days before the election, the voters braced for an "old vs. older" choice will all of a sudden have a "young vs. old" choice pushed relentlessly in their faces.