Why Billy Mitchell's bombing tests weakened his case

Would taking Mitchell's 1920s bombing demonstrations more seriously have produced more aviation cruisers?

Probably not, because the unrealistic test conditions and immature aircraft technology undermined the demonstrations' credibility.

The demonstrations were impressive but did not resemble combat against maneuvering, defended ships. The targets were stationary, open, and uncrewed, making hits far easier than they would be under wartime conditions. Contemporary aircraft also gave observers little reason to assume the performance leap visible by the end of World War II. By pushing the publicity beyond what the trials proved, Mitchell made more careful naval-aviation advocates easier to dismiss.