by Katie Fretland
The Republican National Committee launched a new online discussion forum today, inviting members of the public to help shape the policies of the GOP platform for the next four years.
In an introduction to the website at www.gopplatform2008.com, RNC Chairman Mike Duncan asked for "your ideas, your issues and most importantly of all, your aspirations."
The public can post entries on the website using their own words or videos on seven issues: accountability in education, energy and gas prices, health care reform, jobs and economic growth, judicial nominations, national security and protecting American values.
Platform Chairman Kevin McCarthy urged users to help craft the party's platform using the Web.
"We want to hear your ideas, because the time has come to fix a broken Washington and fight for solutions," McCarthy said.
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Comments
How come the RNC doesn't have a plank in their platform pledging to "stamp out and crush racism and bigotry in all its forms"? This exact language has been on the Democratic Party's platform since 1944.
Posted by: steu hanbacher | July 11, 2008 12:49 PM
I'm a liberal, but I visited the site and created an account so I could read what people had to say. I was surprised. Surprised to find out that a lot of republicans aren't very happy with Bush and his policies, and surprised to find out that a lot of republicans have the same concerns as democrats. I read very few posts that I would consider extremely partisan. I wonder if they'll actually incorporate any of the suggestions into their platform. If they do, the new republican platform isn't going to look like the last 8 years.
Posted by: Grandblvd03 | July 11, 2008 1:17 PM
1. accountability in education:
Spend as much on education as on wars and see what happens
2. energy and gas prices:
Instead of mocking Al Gore in 2000, dig up his proposals to prevent this mess and enact them
3. health care reform:
Ensure everyone, even if it costs as much as a war, and see what happens
4. jobs and economic growth:
Do what the Democrats did in 1993 - it worked.
5. judicial nominations:
Don't nominate anyone who shows support for the powerful against the powerless.
6. national security:
The next time you're warned about an impending terrorist attack, DO SOMETHING!
7. protecting American values:
Stop helping those who have the most at the expense of those who have the least.
Posted by: Paul | July 11, 2008 1:22 PM
"REPUBLICANS SPEAK"
WE NEED PHONE CALLS!
WE NEED EMAILS!
WE NEED MONEY!
WE NEED "WHISTLEBLOWERS" EXPOSED!
WE NEED TO DATAMINE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS!
WE NEED TO DATAMINE YOUR MAILING ADDRESS!
WE NEED TO DISINFRANCHISE BY WAY OF INTERNET!
WE NEED COMMUNICATIONS!
WE NEED "ARCHIVES" TO ARCHIVE OVER THE ARCHIVES!
WE NEED MONEY!
WE NEED YOUR VOTING INFORMATION!
WE NEED YOUR PARTY INFORMATION!
WE NEED TO DATAMINE
AND DATAMINE, AND DATAMINE!
Posted by: Roger Morris | July 11, 2008 1:59 PM
The right-wing blogosphere is full of comment already--most of it words the RNC won't want to hear, and the Swamp would never publicize.
For one example, see www.michellemalkin.com, who has asked for Republican comments, under the heading "Give the RNC an Earful":
"Why bother with a Republican Party Platform when McCain, and all but a few [Republicans] in Congress, will ignore it?
If I wanted Liberal I would become a Democrat."
Or this: "I want to say how I feel, but I know they won’t listen. I am a conservative, and they are RINOS."
Or this; "I have told them how I feel and it seems they go out of their way to do the exact OPPOSITE. Republicans have become Democrat lite."
Posted by: Bruce | July 11, 2008 3:34 PM
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Posted by: Bruce | July 11, 2008 3:34 PM
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Well, Bruce, are the largely wrong, wrong in part, right in part, or largely right? I have my own reasons, and you may have yours, but I don't see the Republican Party right now living up to its ideals. And I don't think they've lived up to those ideals for some time.
Posted by: John W. | July 11, 2008 9:47 PM
It's a little late, isn't it??
Barack has been carrying on the discussion since January 07.
Posted by: ornery | July 11, 2008 10:51 PM
"John W.", I'm not sure what any party's "ideals" are, let alone the Republican Party's ideals. I'd settle for the GOP living up to its promises--for example, the promise to build that fence along the border. And I don't think the administration is living up to its border security promises. Does that answer your question?
Posted by: Bruce | July 12, 2008 9:03 AM
"Does that answer your question?"
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Posted by: Bruce | July 12, 2008 9:03 AM
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That answers it somewhat. I was thinking something more along the lines of: Republicans are supposed to be conservatives, in which case they should try to hold down spending, limit government to its legitimate goals (rather than expand them), and limit foreign policy to the country's necessary, achievable goals of defending us and promoting free trade and good will. These are areas were I believe the Republican Party has fallen down, namely, all of them.
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But, yes, like you, I believe respect for the rule of law is supposed to be a Republican ideal too. Thus, I agree with you that the Republican Party is not living up to this ideal as shown by the failure to build the fence (as promised) and, generally, to enforce the immigration laws.
Posted by: John W. | July 12, 2008 1:14 PM