Perhaps Gov. Gavin Newsom was channeling his inner Republican when he hosted conservative commentator Charlie Kirk for an 81-minute interview on the debut of his new podcast last week. Indeed, much of what Newsom talked about was immediately cheered by the very partisans who usually loathe him.
But polls tell us that nothing Newsom said was particularly controversial with many Americans, and undoubtedly many Californians. Still, his comments, particularly on transgender athletes participating in women’s sports, caused a significant stir with some California Democrats. In fact, the state’s Legislative LGBTQ Caucus responded that it was “profoundly sickened and frustrated” by Newsom’s musings on the topic.
That California Democrats may be out of touch with many voters in their own state should not be a surprise. It is a direct result of the lack of political competition they have faced in the Golden State since the last Republican left statewide office nearly 15 years ago…