A conservative nonprofit organization has unveiled a significant advertising campaign targeting Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz, over their stance on China.
According to Fox News, the Protecting America Initiative plans to air a six-figure television ad during the upcoming presidential debate between Harris and former President Donald Trump.
The advertisement, set to run in seven key battleground states, accuses the Harris-Walz campaign of being soft on China and potentially compromising American interests. The Protecting America Initiative, led by former Trump administration official Richard Grenell and ex-Congressman Lee Zeldin, aims to raise awareness about what they perceive as threats from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
The ad campaign takes aim at several aspects of the Harris-Walz record on China. It claims that the current administration has been too lenient in its approach to Beijing, potentially jeopardizing American economic interests.
One of the main points of contention is a new rule implemented by the Biden-Harris administration that the group argues could give China undue influence over the U.S. auto industry. The ad notes that Harris cast a tiebreaking vote in favor of this policy, framing it as a decision that could have far-reaching consequences for American manufacturing.
The Protecting America Initiative also raises concerns about Tim Walz, Harris's running mate. The ad mentions an ongoing federal investigation into Walz's alleged "close ties" to the Chinese Communist Party, suggesting that this connection could pose a national security risk if the ticket were to win the election.
The decision to air the advertisement during the presidential debate is a strategic move designed to maximize its impact. By targeting viewers in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, the group aims to influence voters in states that could be crucial in determining the outcome of the election.
The timing of the ad release, coinciding with the high-profile debate between Harris and Trump, ensures that it will reach a large and politically engaged audience. This approach reflects the Protecting America Initiative's goal of making China policy a central issue in the upcoming election.
The ad campaign comes amid increased congressional scrutiny of Tim Walz's relationships with Chinese entities. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer has launched an investigation into what he describes as Walz's "longstanding connections" to CCP-affiliated organizations and officials.
Comer's investigation seeks to uncover information about the Chinese entities and officials with whom Walz has engaged and partnered. The congressman has expressed concern that these connections could make Walz susceptible to the CCP's strategy of "elite capture," which aims to influence American decision-makers for the benefit of the Chinese regime.
The Protecting America Initiative's ad campaign highlights these concerns, suggesting that Walz's past interactions with China could have implications for national security if he were to become vice president.
The advertisement concludes with a call to action, urging viewers to "fight back" against what it perceives as the Harris-Walz campaign's accommodating stance toward China. The group emphasizes the need to protect American manufacturing, food supply, and borders from potential Chinese influence. By framing the issue in terms of national security and economic independence, the Protecting America Initiative seeks to galvanize public opinion and make China policy a key consideration for voters in the upcoming election.
The six-figure ad campaign targeting the Harris-Walz ticket on China policy is set to air during the presidential debate between Harris and Trump. Focusing on seven battleground states, the Protecting America Initiative aims to highlight concerns about the current administration's approach to China, including a controversial auto industry rule and an investigation into Tim Walz's alleged ties to the CCP. This effort reflects broader attempts to make China policy a central issue in the election, as evidenced by ongoing congressional scrutiny of Walz's connections to Chinese entities.