British journalist James Bartholomew is widely credited with creating the phrase âvirtue signalingâ to describe positioning oneself on the popular side of an issue without actually doing anything about it. Politicians are particularly prone to uttering words or making token efforts on difficult issues to stave off criticism about their failure to act meaningfully. Gov. Gavin Newsom is Californiaâs champion virtue-signaler as he faces a recall election later this year. He knows that to beat the recall, he merely has to solidify support among his fellow Democrats, so heâs clearly trying to placate various party factions at minimal financial and political cost.