Skip to Content Facebook Feature Image

Harris's running mate pick aims to bolster Democratic base: expert

China

Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration -:-
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time -:-
Â
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
      China

      China

      Harris's running mate pick aims to bolster Democratic base: expert

      2024-08-08 01:41 Last Updated At:02:17

      U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris's decision to choose a running mate who appeals to her progressive base diverges from former President Donald Trump's approach of picking a vice presidential candidate similarly situated with him on the political spectrum, according to analysis from an international scholar at a Chinese university.

      Harris, who has won enough delegate votes to secure the Democratic presidential nomination, unveiled Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her vice-presidential running mate on Tuesday.

      Walz, 60, previously served as a U.S. House representative. He was elected governor of Minnesota in 2018 and re-elected in 2022.

      In a China Global Television Network (CGTN) online interview on Wednesday, Josef Gregory Mahoney, professor of politics and international relations at East China Normal University, analyzed the mainstream strategies in selecting a running mate and said Harris' decision aims at winning more support of the Democratic base rather than making up for weaknesses or wining key votes.

      "There are generally three strategies one can employ when choosing a VP running mate. First, choose someone who helps you win some key electoral college votes. Second, choose someone who appeals to your base while and you can run towards the center. Or third, choose someone more or less just like you who compensates for whatever you might be missing. Trump used the last strategy when he chose Vance. As you suggest, many thought Harris might choose the first strategy. Instead, she chose the second strategy. With Tim Walz, she has a folksy midwestern progressive who should be well-liked by the Democratic base, which was crumbling with Biden. She will still be able to tout Shapiro as a possible cabinet pick and have him campaign for her," he said.

      While a choice of running mate can come with an array of benefits for a presidential candidate, Mahoney stressed that every pick carries risk.

      "The VP choice plays into the broader campaign strategy, but the first priority is to bring something to the table, be it votes, a regional connection, an ideological value, a style, youth if the presidential candidate is old or age and the appearance of wisdom if the candidate is young. Or to add gender or racial difference and so on. The fact is great VP picks can risk overshadowing their running mates, as happened when Dukakis chose Bentsen in 1988. And terrible ones can undermine the credibility of the campaign, as happened when McCain chose Palin in 2008. So, there is an odd balancing act. But what's interesting is that VP candidates are in the mix because they have the own ambition and ego, but they have to subordinate this to such an extent that they often become caricatures," said the scholar.

      "A good VP will be an effective proxy, instill confidence that he or she will be a good replacement should the president die or become incapacitated, be a good debater, and amplify those aspects of the campaign that the presidential candidate supports, but can't afford to over-emphasize. He or she will also able to leverage some fund-raising support and provide some political advice wisdom while shouldering a lot of the campaigning, letting the presidential candidate rest a bit or attend to other matters or parts of the campaign," he said.

      Harris's running mate pick aims to bolster Democratic base: expert

      Harris's running mate pick aims to bolster Democratic base: expert

      Next Article

      Celebrations ring in Chinese New Year worldwide

      2025-01-22 06:36 Last Updated At:07:27

      Various activities were held worldwide to celebrate the upcoming Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, which falls on Jan 29 this year.

      Recently, the Chinese Consulate General in Niigata of Japan, in collaboration with the Gansu Provincial Song and Dance Theater, delivered a spectacular visual feast for the overseas Chinese and Japanese audiences in Sendai.

      The performance, featuring the elements of Dunhuang culture and the history and culture of the Tang Dynasty, attracted about 2,000 spectators. Many Japanese people praised the colorful Chinese culture and expressed their hope to go to China to see with their own eyes and understand Chinese culture and traditional Chinese festivals such as the Spring Festival.

      "It's the first time I've seen such a performance. It's so gorgeous. I'm really touched. This Spring Festival event is also an opportunity for Japan and China to further develop friendly relations. If there is any chance for a performance like this in the future, I would like to come and watch it. I also really want to travel to China now," said a Japanese audience member.

      "Happy to know that cultural heritage like the Spring Festival was included on the Representative List of Human Intangible Cultural Heritage, I think it's great to be able to celebrate such a festival in Japan. I really hope everyone can take a look and learn about the Spring Festival," said another audience member.

      "We want to invite performers from Gansu Provincial Song and Dance Theater to present Dunhuang-themed music and dance which is full of Silk Road cultural elements. This will allow local people to see the mutual learning between Chinese and Japanese civilizations," said Cui Weilei, Consul-General of China in Niigata.

      Budapest's Chinatown was alive with energy on Saturday as the streets were filled with music, dance, and the aroma of traditional Chinese delicacies during a two-day Spring Festival celebration.

      The "Happy Chinese New Year" Temple Fair brought together numerous visitors and performers to usher in the upcoming Year of the Snake. They enjoyed the magnificent dragon and lion dances, ethnic performances, sugar-figure blowing, calligraphy demonstrations, and the unique experience of wearing traditional attire Hanfu.

      "We come here because we have a deep appreciation for Chinese culture and Chinese traditions, and a special interest in Chinese music. I think the most important part of Chinese culture is Chinese food because the best way to bring people from all over the world together is to sit around a table and eat together," said a resident in Budapest.

      Colorful celebrations and Spring Festival receptions were also held at many Chinese embassies and consulates around the world.

      By showcasing Spring Festival customs and intangible cultural heritage, these events allowed local communities to experience the festive vibes of the Spring Festival up close.

      In Dubai, over 1,000 performers and artists from around the world came together to blend traditional Chinese culture with modern art through a rich variety of performances, drawing a large number of audience. The airing of the Spring Festival Gala promotional video by China Media Group also became a highlight of the evening.

      A reception was held Wednesday evening in Cairo by the Chinese embassy in Egypt to celebrate the upcoming Spring Festival.

      Around 600 attendees including Zhang Tao, charge d'affaires of the Chinese embassy, Ahmed Shaheen, Egyptian assistant foreign minister for Asia-Pacific, Australia, and New Zealand affairs, representatives of the Egyptian government and people from all walks of life were gathered.

      "On the occasion of the coming of the Spring Festival, I would like to send my sincerest wishes to dear Chinese friends," said Shaheen in a speech.

      Celebrations ring in Chinese New Year worldwide

      Celebrations ring in Chinese New Year worldwide

      Recommended Articles
      Hot · Posts