Conservatives To Battle For GOP Platform

Washington Post: Activists Hope To Prevent Some Of McCain's Views From Entering Party's Official Declaration Of Principles

(Washingtonpost.com)  This story was written by Michael D. Shear.

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Conservative activists are preparing to do battle with allies of Sen. John McCainin advance of September's Republican National Convention, hoping to prevent his views on global warming, immigration, stem cell research and campaign finance from becoming enshrined in the party's official declaration of principles.

McCain has not yet signaled the changes he plans to make in the GOP platform, but many conservatives say they fear wholesale revisions could emerge as candidate McCain seeks to put his stamp on a document that currently reflects the policies and principles of President Bush.

"There is just no way that you can avoid anticipating what is going to come. Everyone is aware that McCain is different on these issues," said Jessica Echard, executive director of the conservative Eagle Forum. "We're all kind of waiting with anticipation because we just don't know how he's going to thread this needle."

McCain has spent the past year and a half trying to straddle the philosophical schism in the modern Republican Party. In primaries, he stressed his conservative credentials, but since clinching the nomination he has often reminded voters of his more moderate stances while professing his fealty to conservative positions.

A platform fight at the convention could disrupt that carefully choreographed effort by highlighting the stark differences in vision for the party separating McCain from some of the GOP's most dedicated activists.

The battle may not be avoidable. The current GOP platform is a 100-page document, and all but nine pages mention Bush's name. Virtually the entire platform will have to be rewritten to lessen the imprint of the president, who has the highest disapproval rating of any White House occupant since Richard M. Nixon.

It is the prospect of a total rewrite that worries some.

McCain is "really out of step with the strong majority of his party," said Myron Ebell, director of energy and global warming policy at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, which opposes McCain's positions on climate change. "He might get what he wants. And he might get a change. But I don't think it's going to sit well with a lot of Republicans."

Officials in the Republican National Committee and in McCain's campaign say they have much in common with conservatives. They say their conversations as they approach the convention suggest there will not be a nasty platform fight.

"We are confident that this process will produce a platform that all Republicans will enthusiastically support," said Joe Pounder, a spokesman for McCain. "Our party is united, and will continue to work together to elect John McCain in November."

Ken Blackwell, a senior fellow at the Family Research Council and a former Ohio secretary of state, said he does not expect a "bloodletting" in the platform committee. He predicts that conservatives and McCain will be reasonable and stay focused on a November victory: "I don't think you are going to see any radical departures or inflammatory demands for change in one direction or another."

Those assurances are not enough for activists such as Echard, who have been on the front lines of GOP platform fights for years. She will be traveling to Minneapolis-St. Paul, site of the Sept. 1-4 convention, for two weeks in August, with the primary goal of making sure the 2008 platform reflects conservative principles.

One main concern is immigration. The current plank on that issue calls for a temporary-worker program, something that both Bush and McCain have supported but that many conservatives view as unwarranted amnesty for people who arrived in the country illegally. Echard would like a much tougher position and is wary of McCain on the issue.

"Our job is to make sure that the grass roots continue to have a say," she said.

Activists are also watching closely what the platform says about the environment. The current document has only one paragraph about global warming, which talks about using "markets and new technologies" to solve the problem of climate change, and states that the United States "strongly opposes" the Kyoto Protocol to curb emissions globally.

That contrasts sharply with McCain's message on the campaign trail. Government action to address global warming is a centerpiece of his campaign. He supports a cap-and-trade emissions plan that many conservatives oppose, and he has talked about trying to reach a global-emissions agreement that includes China and India.

"It is something that we are very concerned with," said Donald J. Devine, vice chairman of the American Conservative Union, which will have a convention operation to monitor proposed changes to the platform. In past years, the ACU has produced an alternative conservative platform as a guide to those working on the real one.

Devine said he is hopeful that the environmental planks in the platform will focus on McCain's support for nuclear power plants and his willingness to revisit offshore oil and gas drilling. But he is prepared for the worst.

"There's no question it's going to be changed radically," he said of the platform.

Most platform fights at Republican conventions have centered around abortion. McCain is campaigning as an abortion opponent, but conservative activists say they will not take anything for granted.

"That is the one issue that we're always ready to fight on," Echard said. "We will never take that plank for granted. We want zero changes in it. We don't want a comma changed. We don't want a word inserted."

Colleen Parro, executive director of the Republican National Coalition for Life, said her group will "cause problems" if McCain or his allies try to change that plank. But she's also focused on stem cell research, an area in which McCain differs with many anti-abortion activists.

The current platform "recognizes" Bush's support for a limited amount of research on embryonic stem cells and praises his opposition to federal funding for the effort. McCain, in contrast, supports embryonic stem cell research, touting his position as evidence of the "straight talk" he offers to conservatives.

"We would very much like to see a resolution passed by the platform committee that would encourage a ban on killing of embryos for their stem cells," Parro said. "If that were introduced, we certainly would hope that Senator McCain would not oppose it."

The one area where activists are not gearing up for a fight is the platform's section on war and terrorism. As an early backer of the war in Iraq, McCain is seen as a consistent supporter of the military.

But he will no doubt want to revamp much of the national security platform. It was written in 2004 and reflects a positive view of Bush's management of the Iraq war -- something that McCain regularly trashes on the campaign trail.

The current document says that "we are proud of the President's steady leadership in executing" the strategy in Iraq. In a recent fundraising appeal, McCain stated that "after four years of a badly mismanaged war, our new strategy is succeeding and we are now winning in Iraq." Almost two pages of the platform are devoted to halting the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Ebell said McCain should be careful as he and his allies seek to change the platform to reflect his political sensibilities.

"He attracts a lot of votes in the middle -- independents and moderates," Ebell said. But "if he pushes on each one of these issues -- campaign finance, immigration, or global warming and energy issues -- he's likely to keep a lot of people at home on Election Day."

[rowdywicca]

most people who aren''''t in denial realize that Obama is going to CRUSH old (I don''''t mean that in an endearing sense) McCain. *CrUnCh* (he''''d have osteoperosis by now if he were female).

the people who are going to vote for McCain are people who want more of the ''''bush years'''', such good ol'''' times, eh?


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Posted by nfynvk74769 at 08:28 AM : Jul 09, 2008

Oh really? When Obama couldn''t even get the majority vote of the democrats? And the republicans haven''t even voted yet?

Enjoy the delusional dream there.

[rowdywicca]

errr.isnt this about Mccain and his stance on the issues and how real conservatives feel betrayed .... looks for your defence on his conservative beliefs for conservatives ..looks again ..you cant defend him, so the first option is to shift the focus? Dang democrats its their fault conservatives can''''t stomach Mccain . they have so much to do with the republican convention? ..Rowdy Wicca ?can you feel the eye rollage?


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Posted by clovisbuford at 10:04 PM : Jul 08, 2008

Yeah, they''re rolling right now at your BS attempt at logic...which is hilarious.

Again, I could care less about the republican platform, as long as Obama doesn''t get neat the White House with a security clearance.

[indyvet66]

Dear Neoconservatives:

You should not worry about McCain changing your neoconservative platform. It will be the other way around, with McCain caving in to the right wing of his party - just as he has done while voting with President Bush 95% of the time during the past 8 years.

Don''t worry Republicans - John McCain is your man. Now, for the rest of us - No Thank You!

We are not interested in a continuation of the eight disastrous Bush presidency.

[fleura-2009]

Barack Obama Rules!!!

[clovisbuford]

WE honor you, McCain and praise you for your patriotic efforts in serving this country as a true American.Posted by ariel133 at 02:13 PM : Jul 08, 2008
This is actually true , it just doesnt mean he is the most qualified to be president.All Americans honor his service as we do John Kerrey, ,Max Cleland , John Kennedy, Sen Warner ,Bob Dole, Jim Webb ,etc.,does not necessarily qulaify any of them for president, one has "qualified" out of that bunch .In fact Max Cleland who lost 3 limbs in vietnam lost his senate reelection after his republican opponent(chambliss) ran a commercial showing his face morphing into osama bin ladin , now there is respect for service..cough

[clovisbuford]

And you fools think the DNC is going to let the people set the platform when they didn''''''''t even let the people pick the nominee???

Posted by RowdyWicca
errr.isnt this about Mccain and his stance on the issues and how real conservatives feel betrayed .... looks for your defence on his conservative beliefs for conservatives ..looks again ..you cant defend him, so the first option is to shift the focus? Dang democrats its their fault conservatives can''t stomach Mccain . they have so much to do with the republican convention? ..Rowdy Wicca ?can you feel the eye rollage?

[clovisbuford]

WE honor you, McCain and praise you for your patriotic efforts in serving this country as a true American. There is no better choice than to elect a candidate who has done just this.
Posted by ariel133 at 02:13 PM : Jul 08, 2008
did ya vote for John Kerrey ?because last election he wast he only one who had.

[clovisbuford]

"Barak Obama does.
Posted by RowdyWicca at 01:08 PM : Jul 08, 2008"
Rowdy Wiccan its good to see you have abandoned the lie of being a disaffected clinton supporter and moved full bore into republican troll mode..tell me again how a pagan(wiccan) votes republican ..errrr based on their sterling support of nature and environment ( a chief feature of wicccan belief) or perhaps its their dismissal of wiccans as satanists..be glad to hear you juggle that . Enquiring minds love to hear .

[kansas1946]

You mean taht obama did not get the majority of pledged delegates. You know the ones taht represent the voters of their state.


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Posted by zerato at 03:45 PM : Jul 08, 2008
+ report abuse
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LOL. The Hillary people are still mad that she gave up Michigan and Florida prior to the primaries. Of course when she agreed that their delegates should not be seated, she didn''t dream that Obama had a snowball''s chance. She agreed that those states should have followed the party rules, and then screamed about the voters not getting a say. The Democrats in Florida and Michigan should boot out anyone in their state party the decided to thumb their nose at the rules and move their primary dates instead of whining about Obama.

[kansas1946]

McCain has not yet signaled the changes he plans to make in the GOP platform, but many conservatives say they fear wholesale revisions could emerge as candidate McCain seeks to put his stamp on a document that currently reflects the policies and principles of President Bush.
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Good God. McCain surely wouldn''t want to change anything that reflects the policies and priciples of GW. God forbid, those have been so successful. Exactly what are the principles of George Bush??

[zerato-2009]

And you fools think the DNC is going to let the people set the platform when they didn''''t even let the people pick the nominee???

Posted by RowdyWicca

You mean taht obama did not get the majority of pledged delegates. You know the ones taht represent the voters of their state.

[zerato-2009]

WE honor you, McCain and praise you for your patriotic efforts in serving this country as a true American. There is no better choice than to elect a candidate who has done just this.
Posted by ariel133

Cindy we know true american likes to divorce their disfigured wives to have an affair with you, marry you and your millions. He married well. We also thought the propoganda films were nice and patriotic for viet cong. I have enjoyed the amny sides of the same issue he has taken. It gives him a better chance of being right. Tahnk you cindy for giving us this testamonial in your husbands behalf

[rowdywicca]

**** For those kooks who are trying desperately to spread lies that Obama has a radical agenda, now it is public that we, the people, will have imput into our own party platform.

When was the last time any of you were asked your opinions on the GOP platform? You people are their tools, and hows it been working out for you so far?



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Posted by truthmatterz at 01:15 PM : Jul 08,

And you fools think the DNC is going to let the people set the platform when they didn''t even let the people pick the nominee???

Now that is HILARIOUS!

[ariel133]

WE honor you, McCain and praise you for your patriotic efforts in serving this country as a true American. There is no better choice than to elect a candidate who has done just this.

[dnsallday]

For two weeks in July, people all across America will hold DEMOCRATIC Platform Meetings in their own communities to discuss the issues and share their input. The outcome of these meetings will be reviewed by the Drafting Committee as it creates the final DEMOCRATIC Platform.

No political experience is required. Your thoughts and experiences are all that matter, and they will shape a platform that -- like this campaign -- is owned by the people.
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*********************************************************** For those kooks who are trying desperately to spread lies that Obama has a radical agenda, now it is public that we, the people, will have imput into our own party platform.

When was the last time any of you were asked your opinions on the GOP platform? You people are their tools, and hows it been working out for you so far?

[rowdywicca]

Please don''''t use big words like socialism and Marxist to hide behind. Who knows what they mean anymore?



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Posted by jon2012 at 11:38 AM : Jul 08, 2008

Barak Obama does.

[jon2012-2009]

Then I hope you enjoy your socialist government because that''''s what you''''ll get with this far left wing Marxist whack job, his breathern in Congress!

And remember there''''s a HUGE difference in social programs and socialism...
Posted by RowdyWicca at 10:13 AM : Jul 08, 2008

Please don''t use big words like socialism and Marxist to hide behind. Who knows what they mean anymore?

[rowdywicca]

Then I hope you enjoy your socialist government because that''''''''s what you''''''''ll get with this far left wing Marxist whack job, his breathern in Congress!

And remember there''''''''s a HUGE difference in social programs and socialism...

Study up on it sometime.


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Posted by RowdyWicca at 10:13 AM : Jul 08, 2008

Mr. Obama has spent his whole lift miring himself in the belief that there''''s going to be this great revolution that will put Marxism in power in the US!


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And isn''t it just coincidental...so has Howard Dean.

[rowdywicca]

Then I hope you enjoy your socialist government because that''''s what you''''ll get with this far left wing Marxist whack job, his breathern in Congress!

And remember there''''s a HUGE difference in social programs and socialism...

Study up on it sometime.


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Posted by RowdyWicca at 10:13 AM : Jul 08, 2008

Mr. Obama has spent his whole lift miring himself in the belief that there''s going to be this great revolution that will put Marxism in power in the US!

[taotxzen]

Three Facts That Could Change This Election (If We Share Them With Enough People)

by ihavenobias

Here are 3 Stunning facts that could not only change the outcome of this election, but with regard to the first two points, they could change the results of every election for years to come *if* we make enough people aware of them.

1) Over 70% of our National Debt was created by just 3 Republican presidents.

2) According to new research from Larry Bartels out of Princeton, real middle class wage growth is double when a Democrat is president compared to when a Republican is president.

3) 90% of Americans would pay less taxes under Obama''s proposed tax plan compared to McCain''s.

More at: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6430781