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RNC to Solicit Online Suggestions for Party Platform

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July 11, 2008 9:45 AM

ABC News’ Karen Travers reports: The Republican National Committee today will unveil a web site, www.gopplatform2008.com, that will allow individuals to log on and share their suggestions and opinions on what should be included in the party’s platform. The platform will be ratified by the party’s delegates at its convention in Minneapolis in September.

Starting Friday, an individual can log on to the site and upload their written comments or video comments. A team led by Platform Committee Executive Director Steven Duffield will sift through the online submissions up until the convention and party officials said they are open to using some of the videos or statements in the platform drafting meetings in Minneapolis.

Republican officials say they hope this site will be a 24/7 town hall where people can look at other submissions on the site and share their views without ever leaving their home.

The Democratic National Committee announced this week that it will invite people to host their own platform committee meetings and then submit a report online for the party's platform drafting committee to consider. A Democratic party official said that 800 events already have been  organized in 49 states in addition to  web chat-ins and radio-call-ins.

North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr serves as co-chair of the 2008 Republican Platform Committee and touted the efficiency of the web site in reaching out to the entire party and anyone who is interested in weighing in on the platform.

“If we limited ourselves to a traditional town hall meeting type of concept, in a two hour period we might get the input from 15 individuals when 1500 showed up. Now we're saying 'stay at home, go on the Internet, 24 hours a day. Download your information, we'll sift through that' and that will help to guide us as we get to the final crafting of the platform.”

Sen. Burr said that the platform is a Republican platform first but he and Platform Committee Chair Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California are working closely with Sen. John McCain’s campaign for its input.

“I think the vast majority of prior platforms have encompassed everything John McCain believes,” Burr said. “Are there areas where we might be challenged as we write this to state it correctly? Yes. But Kevin and I have been asked to do a Republican platform and we’ve worked closely and will continue to work closely with the McCain campaign and we’re going to work closely with the American people on this.”

“I’m confident that we’re going to come up with a platform that is the best ever, that clearly defines where the Republican Party is on the issues that are most important to the American people and it will be a platform that the campaign will be proud to be part of.”

Conservatives have expressed concerns over differences with McCain on some social issues, including whether the abortion platform should include an exception in the case of rape and incest. While McCain has not addressed the abortion platform since becoming the presumed Republican nominee, he reaffirmed his desire to change the GOP's official abortion stance following a multicandidate forum that took place in Des Moines, Iowa, April 14, 2007.

Other areas where McCain differs with his party include global warming, immigration and stem cell research and each could prove to be a challenge when it comes time to craft the Republican platform. A Republican official dismissed that as overblown, saying “I don’t think the difficulties are there that some have tried to point out, predominantly in the media.”

Could this new site become a ‘careful what you wish for’ situation for the Republican Party? All it takes is one look at a comment section on a blog or news web site to see how online dialogue can often veer into less than civilized debate.

Rep. McCarthy said the party is not afraid to reach out to get voters’ input. “This party’s never been afraid of our principles. This party is made up of individuals across this country and what a better way to know where we stand than just asking them. One thing you’ll find in this platform, this platform looks forward not backwards.”

ABC News’ Teddy Davis contributed to this report.

July 11, 2008 in Hunter, Duncan, Tancredo, Tom, Thompson, Fred | Permalink | User Comments (54)

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hahahaha alright this is the time for Dems to mess with the Repubs. Good old Rush Limbaugh is telling Repubs to show up to the Dem planning parties and "mess them up". Now its the Dem's turn to return the favor!!

Posted by: matt w. | Jul 11, 2008 9:58:18 AM

It's a nice gesture, but they already know how to commit political suicide. They don't need my input.

Posted by: DAVID NH | Jul 11, 2008 10:22:13 AM

Tell the republicans in the House and the Senate to take 2 weeks off...then resign!

Posted by: Paisano | Jul 11, 2008 10:38:24 AM

Rep McCarthy is absolutely right when he says "One thing you’ll find in this platform, this platform looks forward not backwards.”
The GOP doesn't want anyone to look back on this failed administration.

Posted by: stephen | Jul 11, 2008 10:48:59 AM

Oh Lord! I needed this laugh before leaving for work this morning. My suggestion? Really want to know? Abolish the GOP and go home for good,never to return!

Posted by: Jules | Jul 11, 2008 10:51:58 AM

The interwebs? it's not like a big truck.

It's a series of tubes.

/RNC'd

Posted by: Rockwell | Jul 11, 2008 11:03:31 AM

Stealing ideas much? The right should try being a little more original.

Posted by: Marie | Jul 11, 2008 11:11:08 AM

GOP Platform #1 :

Flip-flops must be provided to every citizen.

Posted by: Sue | Jul 11, 2008 11:33:42 AM

I recommend that they stay the course. They're going to anyway, and they're a lot easier to beat when they admit it.

Posted by: Maia Appleby | Jul 11, 2008 11:42:37 AM

My suggestion is that the GOP come to terms that the race is over! McCain can't and won't win! McCain does not have a clue how to fix our problems. He's just not the man to get the job done. All the negative attacks will not get any votes and could turn Obama's victory into a land-slide. McCain's only consistent message is that he's a war hero. That alone does not quaify him to be President.

Posted by: TJ | Jul 11, 2008 11:44:06 AM

GOP Platform #2 :

We must give up on life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. If it is not given up, we'll take it away for you.

Posted by: Sue | Jul 11, 2008 11:50:30 AM

The last 8 years of Republicans in power now have me only think of this when I hear Republican, mean, dishonest, vendictive, arrogant, pushy,
manipulative, care not one twit about this country or it's people unless you are rich.

Ralph Nader tried to warn us all for years that corporate America would be our downfall. We are well on the way to the bottom.

I vote the person, not the party. Requires no deep thought or questioning to vote a straight ticket.

You Republicans as you are now just need to step back and realize you are mean and arrogant and it will take many many years to wash it out of your party.!

Posted by: Jean | Jul 11, 2008 11:57:37 AM

Matt C: The information on the Daily Show has proven to be much more factual than the information provided by George Bush and his administration.

Posted by: JP | Jul 11, 2008 11:57:48 AM

GOP Platform #4 :

We're going to drill for oil when and wherever we choose. After all, it's all about power and the almighty useless dollar bill.

Posted by: Sue | Jul 11, 2008 12:14:17 PM

Here's one idea that may work. Switch old man McCain for old lady McCain. She looks the brighter of the two.

Posted by: Jake | Jul 11, 2008 12:15:01 PM

Sue - The "democratic" led congress has an one vote majority, and that is Joe Leiberman, who is more concerned with Isreal than America. The "democratic" majority took control in January 2007, and it was about January 1st 2008 at 12:01 am when you conservatives started whining about how the "democratic majority" has been in power the past two years and has done nothing. Yes, another Fox News deceit passed on to the American public, and the polls show it. (To be accurate, more like 25% approval rating overall, not 9%)

Posted by: hiendurance | Jul 11, 2008 12:24:41 PM

So now the Republicans are WHINING that they don't have a platform that appeals to mainstream America?

Here's a suggestion: STOP WHINING: IT'S ALL IN YOUR HEAD.

Posted by: Snarxon | Jul 11, 2008 12:34:26 PM

i'd advise against the purple heart bandages. i dont think that would go over to well this year.

Posted by: chaz | Jul 11, 2008 12:49:21 PM

I thought the convention was in St Paul, not Minneapolis.
Sloppy reporting. Even sloppier editing.

Posted by: MikeHunt | Jul 11, 2008 12:56:28 PM

I have a suggestion for the RNC:

They should all take a trip to Yukka Mountain, go deep into the mine - ALL OF THEM - and swallow grape Kool-Aid laced with cyanide.

Posted by: Phil | Jul 11, 2008 1:10:59 PM

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