Nice piece transposing US style presidential cmpaigns on to China, here with Xi JInping, of the Princeling Party running agaisnt soon-to-be premier Li Keqiang, of the outgoing China Youth Federation Populist Party. Actually, if it was run on those grounds I think Li might actually win, not least because the CYL people seem to translate into a bigger, better party machine.
This works quite well because the studied anti-charisma at the top of Chinese politics would be an excellent clean slate for the image builders and messaging operatives. Think of the politburo as a kind of Romney factory, churning out nondescripot and slightly rubberized individuals ready to be stamped with characteristics appropriate to chosen electoral markets. Except the quality control is a bit wonky and they forgot to put the permasmile circuit in. Still, you make the best of what you have.
Plus, you actually have some pretty good backstories: 'My opponent Mr Li says he represents the little people, but I used to live in a cave and I share the pain of my fellow cave dwellers everywhere in China. You will not be forgotten in a Xi administration.'
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