Changes

The candidates of a party are not legally bound to implement the provisions of the platform.  In theory, the platform represents the beliefs of the grass roots membership of the party.  Parties hold conventions in individual Congressional districts where the delegates adopt a platform or a package of policy resolutions.  These positions then inform the drafting of platform for adoption at state conventions.  The state platforms in turn inform the drafting of a platform for adoption at the national convention.  However, the rules of the conventions frequently limit debate and amendment of the platform.  As a result, party leaders or paid staff members may play a large role in drafting the platform, leaving the convention delegates with little choice but to "rubber stamp" their approval of a long document.

The candidates of a party are not legally bound to implement the provisions of the platform.  In theory, the platform represents the beliefs of the grass roots membership of the party.  Parties hold conventions in individual Congressional districts where the delegates adopt a platform or a package of policy resolutions.  These positions then inform the drafting of platform for adoption at state conventions.  The state platforms in turn inform the drafting of a platform for adoption at the national convention.  However, the rules of the conventions frequently limit debate and amendment of the platform.  As a result, party leaders or paid staff members may play a large role in drafting the platform, leaving the convention delegates with little choice but to "rubber stamp" their approval of a long document.

==Historic platform controversies==

==Historic platform controversies==

At the 1948 Democratic National Convention, [[Hubert Humphrey]] lead a fight to adopt a plank supporting [[civil rights]] legislation.  When the convention included his proposal in the platform, a group of 35 southern delegates walked out and formed the [[Dixicrat]] movement who supported [[J. Strom Thurmond]] instead of [[Harry Truman]] in the Presidential election.

At the 1948 Democratic National Convention, [[Hubert Humphrey]] lead a fight to adopt a plank supporting [[civil rights]] legislation.  When the convention included his proposal in the platform, a group of 35 southern delegates walked out and formed the Dixicrat movement who supported [[J. Strom Thurmond]] instead of [[Harry Truman]] in the Presidential election.

For many years, the Republican Party platform supported adoption of the [[Equal Rights Amendment]] (ERA).  However, at the 1980 Republican National Convention a group lead by [[Phyllis Schlafly]] opposed the ERA, and the final platform qualified Republican support for that amendment.

For many years, the Republican Party platform supported adoption of the [[Equal Rights Amendment]] (ERA).  However, at the 1980 Republican National Convention a group lead by [[Phyllis Schlafly]] opposed the ERA, and the final platform qualified Republican support for that amendment.