Caitlyn Jenner has announced her intent to run as a Republican for the governor’s seat of California — if the recall of the current overlord appears successful. Since she was once an avid devotee of President Donald Trump, the America First agenda, and a lifelong fan of conservative fiscal policies, what’s not to notice?  It appears that Jenner is a composite political character that would make intelligent money decisions and simultaneously embrace the LGBTQ tribe and other lefty issues.

The immediate attack on Jenner by alternative-themed media outlets was swift and downright malicious. But it was the desperate responses from the seemingly petrified supporters of Governor Gavin Newsom that revealed Jenner’s candidacy could be a threat – and not an attention-seeking stunt.

Trump in a Skirt

After a day or two of recovering from a nerve-frazzled reaction to Jenner’s announcement, the Newsom camp decided to act. In an email to California Democrats, assuring recipients it “was the truth,” the team let fly this terrifying missive:

“Not only does Caitlyn Jenner command an extraordinary amount of personal wealth, she has also hired Donald Trump’s former campaign manager. We’re talking about the person who not only built Trump’s fundraising operation but also knows better than anyone how to mobilize his most radical supporters.”

Dear Lord, is Jenner in bed with the bogeyman?  Uh, no. Unless meeting with Trump consultant and fundraising guru Caroline Wren, an ally Jenner met through a GOP nonprofit focused on LGBTQ issues, resembles that remark, and she is hardly the entire Trump entourage rising from the ashes to aid Jenner. Drama queens.

And Caitlyn is not the only one tossing the Make California Great Again ball cap in the ring. Businessman John Cox and former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, both Republicans, also are barnstorming for attention. For some unexplained reason, they haven’t warranted the seemingly distraught rejoinders awarded to Caitlyn.

The beseeching blather from Team Newsom continued:

“We risk some serious attacks from an opponent with essentially an unlimited amount of money and relationships with the cast of characters that enabled Trump from day one. In short, the Trump show is coming to California.”

If Gav is this afraid of a challenge by a half-baked Trumplican, what does this say about the entrenched blue state digging out of the muck and going a tad red? According to a recent survey by Emerson College, 58% of Democrats and 55% of independent voters are open to ousting Newsom in favor of another Democratic candidate, and they signed the recall petition, which just now has validated enough signatures to move forward. The obvious problem is that no Golden State Democrat is suicidal enough to run against a sitting governor of the same party. It would be a political career-killing endeavor if the votes went sideways — and easy for Republicans to take the baton right out of Newsom’s manicured hands. All it takes is 50% of voters to kick Gavin to the curb and let a conservative pull off a last-minute sprint.

Could This Woman Be Calculated and Unflappable?

Because she is arguably the most high-profile transgender in America, one might assume that Jenner’s chosen tribe would embrace her. Instead, she’s been called a “trans-Trump,” a “shameless grifter,” and an “attention ‘ho.” So much for the loyalty of that fan-specific base. And then there is this writer’s personal favorite slur: a “privileged trans person.” Can that even happen? Perhaps Jenner is unfazed as a mere 4.5% of California identifies as trans. The question is: Do they all identify as Democrats and vote?

of ABC’s The Talk also took a swipe last week at the Jenner candidacy, calling Caitlyn a “he” three times as she tried to link Jenner to Trump. Behar snarled while resurrecting former Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale out of the burned bridge debris. Parscale is friends with Jenner and might be advising her, but no formal arrangements have been made. Alas, rumors and innuendo fly in the face of a rousing recall effort, and Behar managed to get in a few digs. But someone who identifies as a muckety-muck must have noticed and — like magic — Behar was soon on an apology tour, repetitively, in earnest.

How did Jenner take the tirade and subsequent mea culpa from the elder gossip? In stride, replying: “Don’t sweat it. I’m not about cancel culture. I know where your heart is. California has bigger issues than pronouns.”

Read more from Sarah Cowgill.