State
Don't expect parties to get bold in platforms
Posted: Aug 19, 2012 5:49 AM
Updated: Aug 19, 2012 5:51 AM
WASHINGTON (AP) Don't look for many bold pronouncements when Republicans and Democrats adopt party platforms at their national conventions.
Platforms are supposed to reflect the core values of the party and maybe provide little red meat to fire up the base, getting activists excited about supporting their nominee.
That's what Democrats hope to do by embracing gay marriage in their party platform. It's a position President Barack Obama only recently has adopted.
But no candidate wants to provide political fodder for opponents by including something in the platform that might turn off the sought-after undecided swing voters who could decide the election.
The GOP platform committee meets Monday and Tuesday in Tampa, Fla., ahead of the start of the convention on Aug. 27.
