Harris and Trump: What's Happening.
Two Presidential Hopefuls.
Kamala Harris remains Vice-President in the dying days of Joe Biden's presidency. The utter disaster of Trump v Biden round 2 in July was enough for many Democrats. Biden bumbled and stumbled through the broadcast whereas Trump seemed cognitive and coherent. Biden resisted being ousted from the presidential race. Joe Biden has always wanted to be president so why would he step down, even with alleged mental health?
Many think Biden was forced out of the presidential race. Joe Biden will remain President until January when he will hand over either to Trump or Harris. Others have said, should Biden still be President with his mental health in decline?
After the debacle of the Trump v Biden broadcast Biden nominated his VP (Vice President) Kamala Harris to be his successor. Many thought Harris would be the last person who Biden would nominate. Given how quiet she has been during the term of Biden's time in the White House. Some say the one job besides being VP that Biden gave her, she made a hash of. She was put in charge of the southern border to lessen or stop migrants from coming over the border from Mexico to the US. Nevertheless, Biden has given her his blessing, so that's it.
Harris' rise to be Democratic hopeful for the White House stunned the Trump campaign. As 'The Donald' admitted, Harris being Biden's replacement shook up his campaign. His whole campaign had been about taking down Biden. Trump's campaign has had to reorganise and focus on attacking Harris.
Harris's husband Doug Emhoff is a Jewish lawyer with two kids from a previous marriage. Harris has no children, however, she has a good relationship with Mr. Emhoff's boys. In pictures, Kamala, Doug, and the boys seem a happy family. If Kamala becomes President Doug Emhoff will be the first male to be given the title of 'First Gentleman'. In the past, it has been male Presidents and their spouses given the title, 'First Lady'. If Trump wins again his wife will be the 'First Lady' for the second time.
So how are both candidates doing in the polls? Well, two recent polls show Harris to be 3 - 6 points ahead of Trump. Harris is painting herself as the new young thing at 59 compared to Trump's age of 78. Certainly, Harris's emergence as the Democratic candidate has given fresh impotence to the Democratic campaign.
Investors left, right, and centre, (perhaps not politically), have been giving to the Harris campaign. Former Democratic Presidents Obama and Clinton, have endorsed Harris's campaign. Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi has also given Ms. Harris her blessing.
In a CBS poll, Harris is ahead of Trump at 51% while Trump is on 48. However, the Democrats shouldn't get ahead of themselves. Harris's Achilles heel is on the economy and immigration (sounds familiar to people in the UK?). That is ammunition for Trump and the Republicans to attack Harris and the Democrats with.
In the battleground states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, Georgia, Nevada, and North Carolina, Harris and Trump are on 50% a piece. We will know in November if the American people will put Trump back in the White House or give Harris a chance.
It will be interesting to see how the new British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will get on with either candidate. It would appear that the honeymoon period with Mr. Starmer and many of the British electorate could be over. Given Sir Keir's apparent clamping down on Native Brit riots and his softly, softly, approach to left-wing and Muslim counter-demonstrators, Sir Keir's popularity has taken a hit. Sir Keir will be business-like with whoever the US population choose to be their next President.
If Trump gets in will the Americans get the same old Trump or something new? If they go for Harris, it remains to be seen, how that will go. As a Brit, I have no power to vote for either candidate. The choice my American cousins, is yours!
78.
About the Creator
Nicholas Bishop
I am a freelance writer currently writing for Blasting News and HubPages. I mainly write about politics. But have and will cover all subjects when the need arises.
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Taiwan Thanks Canada for Its Support Ahead of Prime Minister’s China Trip
In the often tense and closely watched world of global diplomacy, even a simple statement of thanks can carry enormous political weight. This week, Taiwan publicly expressed gratitude to Canada for its continued support, just days before the Canadian prime minister is set to travel to China. While the words may sound polite and routine, the timing tells a much deeper story—one about strategic alliances, democratic values, and the delicate balancing act Canada must perform on the world stage. This moment highlights not only Taiwan’s growing concern about its international standing, but also Canada’s evolving role in Indo-Pacific geopolitics. As Ottawa prepares to engage directly with Beijing, Taiwan’s message serves as both appreciation and a reminder of what is at stake. Why Taiwan’s Thank-You Matters Taiwan exists in a uniquely complicated diplomatic position. Claimed by China as part of its territory, the self-governed island is recognized by only a small number of countries as a sovereign state. Most nations, including Canada, officially adhere to a “One China” policy—acknowledging Beijing as the sole legal government of China—while maintaining unofficial but meaningful ties with Taipei. Against this backdrop, Canada’s vocal support for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait has not gone unnoticed. Taiwanese officials have repeatedly welcomed Canada’s stance on democracy, human rights, and the rule of law—values that Taiwan sees as central to its identity. By thanking Canada ahead of the prime minister’s China visit, Taiwan is sending a subtle but powerful signal: its relationship with Ottawa matters, even if it exists outside formal diplomatic recognition. Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy and Taiwan Canada has increasingly framed its foreign policy around the Indo-Pacific, a region it views as economically vital and strategically sensitive. Taiwan plays an important role in this vision—not only as a democracy, but also as a global technology powerhouse, particularly in semiconductor manufacturing. In recent years, Canada has: Strengthened trade and investment ties with Taiwan Supported Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations Joined allies in calling for peaceful resolution of cross-strait tensions While Canada stops short of recognizing Taiwan as an independent state, these actions signal a growing willingness to engage more openly with Taipei. For Taiwan, this kind of engagement provides international breathing room amid rising pressure from Beijing. The Timing: Ahead of a High-Stakes China Trip The upcoming visit of Canada’s prime minister to China adds another layer of complexity. Relations between Ottawa and Beijing have been strained in recent years over issues such as trade disputes, cybersecurity concerns, and the detention of Canadian citizens in China. China is extremely sensitive to any foreign interaction with Taiwan, often viewing it as interference in its internal affairs. Taiwan’s public show of appreciation, just before the trip, places Canada in a delicate position—caught between reaffirming its values and managing its relationship with the world’s second-largest economy. For Canada, the challenge will be to: Re-engage China diplomatically without appearing to retreat from democratic principles Maintain support for Taiwan without provoking unnecessary escalation Balance economic interests with national security and human rights concerns Taiwan’s Diplomatic Strategy: Gratitude as Soft Power Taiwan has become increasingly adept at using soft power diplomacy. Public statements of thanks, humanitarian aid, technology partnerships, and cultural exchanges are all part of Taipei’s effort to strengthen informal alliances. By thanking Canada openly, Taiwan accomplishes several goals at once: Reinforces its image as a responsible and appreciative international partner Encourages continued support from like-minded democracies Signals resilience in the face of diplomatic isolation This approach doesn’t confront China directly, but it subtly expands Taiwan’s international presence—something Beijing works hard to limit. What This Means for China-Canada Relations China will undoubtedly be watching closely. Any perceived strengthening of Canada-Taiwan ties could become a sensitive topic during diplomatic talks. However, Canada is not alone. Many Western democracies now walk the same line: recognizing China diplomatically while deepening unofficial engagement with Taiwan. For Beijing, this trend is concerning. For Ottawa, it is increasingly unavoidable. Canada’s message to China is likely to be one of engagement without endorsement—cooperation where possible, disagreement where necessary. Taiwan’s gratitude underscores that Canada’s actions resonate far beyond bilateral talks. A Broader Democratic Signal Beyond diplomacy, this episode reflects a broader global conversation about democracy and authoritarianism. Taiwan often positions itself as proof that Chinese culture and democracy are compatible—a narrative that challenges Beijing’s political model. By supporting Taiwan’s participation in global affairs, countries like Canada reinforce that message. Taiwan’s thank-you, therefore, is not just about bilateral relations—it’s about shared values and the kind of international order democracies want to uphold. Conclusion: Words That Carry Weight In international politics, timing is everything. Taiwan’s decision to thank Canada ahead of the prime minister’s China trip is no coincidence. It highlights the fragile but meaningful ties between Ottawa and Taipei, while reminding the world that Taiwan remains an active and engaged player despite diplomatic constraints. For Canada, the coming days will test its ability to balance pragmatism with principle. For Taiwan, the message is clear: every expression of support matters. And for global observers, this moment offers a glimpse into how modern diplomacy often works—not through treaties and embassies, but through carefully chosen words, strategic timing, and shared values expressed in public view.
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Comments (2)
From Canada, it's concerning because their choice affects us. We have our election next year and right now the political pendulum has swung so far that Conservative majority will be most likely in Canada come election time.
Well-written analysis of the contest, Nicholas. I try to stay clear of debates of political and religious matters, as it tends to drive wedges into relationships, and the political landscape is especially divisive right now. You have done a fine job of presenting a fair assessment of the current state of the race. Bravo!