Progressives have long branded President Trump as a stooge for Russia.  Yet the more important story may be who President Xi of China wants in office. Unlike Putin, he has the financial muscle, ties to business elites, and technical skill to promote his agenda. And California’s Gavin Newsom is likely to be Xi’s favorite in 2028.  Indeed, just after Biden’s poorly-received performance in his June 2024 presidential debate with Trump, the Asia Times, South China Morning Post, Bloomberg, and