Not too many years ago, the commerical networks broadcast gavel-to-gavel coverage of political conventions, showing us the often-boring but important procedural matters such as debating and adopting a party platform. Ratings and profits put an end to that, but the parties still have platforms stating their beliefs and goals, akin to a policy contract with their members.
Judging by the strong Republican support for the financial bailout bill, including John McCain’s Yea vote, the Grand Old Party has already flip-flopped on one principle in the platform adopted just six weeks ago. On page 35 of the pdf version it says:
We do not support government bailouts of private institutions. Government interference in the markets exacerbates problems in the marketplace and causes the free market to take longer to correct itself. We believe in the free market as the best tool to sustained prosperity and opportunity for all. We encourage potential buyers to work in concert with the lending community to educate themselves about the responsibilities of purchasing a home, condo, or land.
I just love that condescending last line. It’s especially ironic when we remember McCain’s big proposal last week, in the second debate, was to spend $300 billion in taxpayer money to buy bad mortgages from banks and refinance them.
I do wish he’d let us know when the market might “correct itself.”
Related: Flip-flop Award – John McCain Flip-flop Award – McCain Again
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Speaking of the platform, I thought Palin was extreme in her opposition to abortion even in the case of rape or incest, then I noticed the GOP would not be satisfied with a mere overturning of Roe v. Wade. From page 59:
“We support a human life amendment to the Constitution”
The msm seem to have missed that, although it’s possible it’s boilerplate from platforms past.