As a former New Yorker, I think there are several factors in play. One is that, basically, he's doing the right thing now, whatever early missteps. That matter

As a former New Yorker, I think there are several factors in play. One is that, basically, he's doing the right thing now, whatever early missteps. That matters. Another is contrast - being competent is, sadly, not a given with our current leadership. A final one is just that US culture specifically and humans generally flock to leaders in times of crisis. He's being a leader, there you go. Rudy "noun, verb, 9-11" got the same treatment until he started making noises about violating the term-limit rules, as much as folks hated him.