Anyone actually read the RNC and DNC platforms?

[Redban]

I've just finished reading the DNC platform (I finished the RNC platform last week).

DNC:
https://www.demconvention.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Democratic-Party-Platform-7.21.16-no-lines.pdf

RNC:
https://prod-static-ngop-pbl.s3.amazonaws.com/media/documents/DRAFT_12_FINAL[1]-ben_1468872234.pdf

For me, the platforms basically established the most well-known differences between the two parties ------Republicans stress state rights, lower taxes, private sector work, economy over environment, and legal immigration over illegal immigration; Democrats support an active federal government, increased investments, more services from the public sector, green energy, and leniency towards illegal aliens.

Two differences got my attention though.

Firstly --- The RNC platform never makes a direct attack on Hillary Clinton. In fact, the platform mentions her name only once, and that mention was just in reference to her quote on climate change.

The DNC platform, on the other hand, mentions Trump 32 times, mostly to give biting insults. One such insult is: There has never been a major party candidate less qualified or less fit for the office of President of the United States or to be Commander-in-Chief than Donald Trump.

For all the talk about Trump's tendency to attack, the RNC platform is the tame one while the DNC platform is the bellicose one.

Secondly --- I'm alarmed at the pervasive racial discussions in the DNC platform: the word "minority" appears 15 times (just 3 times in the RNC platform); "racism" appears 6 times (just once in the RNC platform); and the phrase "people of color" appears 18 times (not once in the RNC platform), including in some nonsensical places. The most egregious example is:

The impacts of climate change will also disproportionately affect low-income and minority communities ...  Simply put, this is environmental racism.

Environmental racism!?!?!

[riceowl]

Environmental racism is very much a real thing. Clinton signed a measure in the 90s to help ensure that projects did not disproportionately adversely affect the environment of communities of color.

[Gustaf]

I know Republicans don't like these ideas (and there are instances where I'd agree it gets  silly) but the basic concept is really just that if the cost of a policy is disproportionately harming a specific community and that community lacks the power to defend itself that can be a reason why powerful groups get away with pushing such policies. Republicans actually use this often in their rhetoric as well but they label it differently.

[Kingpoleon]

"Colored people"? Did LBJ write this platform?

[Mr. Reactionary]

I read the 60 page RNC draft. Some good, some bad.

[Nyvin]

I was kinda surprised this is in the GOP Platform:

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[Gass3268]

I was kinda surprised this is in the GOP Platform:

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How about they become 51 and DC becomes 52?

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

I was kinda surprised this is in the GOP Platform:

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It's always been part of their platform. Remember, a large number of NPP politicians lean GOP (and the conservative instinct is towards manifest destiny rather than the leftist instinct of anti-colonialism/national liberation ).

[Since I'm the mad scientist proclaimed by myself]

DNC platform barely mentioned trans specific issues e.g. paying for transition, bathroom rights.

[muon2]

The large number of Trump references in the Dem platform seems unusual. The platform is not just intended for the Presidential election, but for all of the federal offices. How do the downballot races use a document that is heavily targeted at the top spot?

[Since I'm the mad scientist proclaimed by myself]

The large number of Trump references in the Dem platform seems unusual. The platform is not just intended for the Presidential election, but for all of the federal offices. How do the downballot races use a document that is heavily targeted at the top spot?

Silly Muon, everyone knows that the president is the only race that matters! It's not like congress and state legislatures are the only ones with the power to make laws.

[muon2]

The large number of Trump references in the Dem platform seems unusual. The platform is not just intended for the Presidential election, but for all of the federal offices. How do the downballot races use a document that is heavily targeted at the top spot?

Silly Muon, everyone knows that the president is the only race that matters! It's not like congress and state legislatures are the only ones with the power to make laws.

Yes but candidates will be asked about their national/state platforms. The platform helps set the brand for the party. This one from the Dems is unusual in its focus and causes unneeded effort downballot. I would think the Dem brand is more than just the anti-Trump party.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

I wish the RNC platform would have adopted Rachel Hoff's amendments.

[Devout Centrist]

The large number of Trump references in the Dem platform seems unusual. The platform is not just intended for the Presidential election, but for all of the federal offices. How do the downballot races use a document that is heavily targeted at the top spot?

They do want to tie as many down allot races to the unpopularity of the nominee. It makes perfect sense to tar a popular governor with the unpopular presidential nominee.

[Torie]

The large number of Trump references in the Dem platform seems unusual. The platform is not just intended for the Presidential election, but for all of the federal offices. How do the downballot races use a document that is heavily targeted at the top spot?

Silly Muon, everyone knows that the president is the only race that matters! It's not like congress and state legislatures are the only ones with the power to make laws.

Yes but candidates will be asked about their national/state platforms. The platform helps set the brand for the party. This one from the Dems is unusual in its focus and causes unneeded effort downballot. I would think the Dem brand is more than just the anti-Trump party.

When you have campaigned, has any voter ever, referred to the content of the Pub platform as to your opinion about something in it?

[Beefalow and the Consumer]

I don't take issue with anything other than the Trump references.  That's ridiculous, and doesn't belong in a party platform.  They could have mentioned him obliquely/indirectly, like "We oppose the Republicans' willingness to nominate candidates who lack the demeanor and qualifications to be entrusted with power."

[Ljube]

LOL, no.