2004 Platform

Republican delegates approved the party’s platform Monday. Among the planks:

Terrorism

Summary: Supports confronting terrorists and the nations that support them. Supports the spread of democracy worldwide. Supports increased intelligence gathering and advocates the establishment of a national counterterrorism center.

Excerpt: “Only total and complete destruction of terrorism will allow freedom to flourish.”

Foreign policy

Summary: Calls for continued demands that North Korea dismantle nuclear weapons. Affirms support for Israel, the removal of Israeli settlements from the Gaza Strip and the creation of a Palestinian state. Favors ending Iran’s alleged nuclear weapons programs. Suggests sending a special envoy to advocate peace in Sudan. Supports maintaining the embargo against Cuba.

Excerpt: “The United States must use this moment of opportunity to extend the benefits of freedom across the globe -- by actively working to bring the hope of democracy, development, free markets and free trade to every corner of the world.”

Taxes

Summary: Says good government is based on a system of limited taxes and spending and that tax cuts should be made permanent, the system simplified and taxes made more difficult to raise.

Excerpt: “Making the tax cuts permanent is a crucial first step to expanding ownership and ensuring that America turns economic growth into lasting prosperity. The only way to accomplish this goal is to elect a solid Republican majority to both Houses of Congress.”

Gay marriage

Summary: Advocates a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.

Excerpt: “The well-being of children is best accomplished in the environment of the home, nurtured by their mother and father, anchored by the bonds of marriage. Legal recognition and the accompanying benefits afforded couples should be preserved for that unique and special union of one man and one woman.”

Abortion

Summary: Opposes abortion; supports a “human life” amendment to the Constitution.

Excerpt: “The unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed.”

Stem cells

Summary: Supports stem cell research from adult cells and opposes destroying human embryos for research.

Excerpt: “We applaud the president’s call for a comprehensive ban on human cloning and on the creation of human embryos solely for experimentation.”

Environment

Summary: Opposes the Kyoto protocol regulating “greenhouse gases” and favors revising the Endangered Species Act. Supports President Bush’s “Clear Skies” proposal, which is opposed by most environmentalists and supported by the energy industry. Seeks to develop clean-burning coal and open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil drilling.

Excerpt: “Republicans know that economic prosperity is essential to environmental progress.”

Healthcare

Summary: Proposes a health insurance tax credit, medical liability reform and allowing small businesses to form insurance-buying pools. Supports the expansion of Health Savings Accounts, under which individuals save tax-free to pay for their healthcare.

Excerpt: “We reject any notion of government-run universal healthcare because we have seen evidence from around the world that government-run healthcare leads to inefficiencies, long waiting periods, and often substandard healthcare.”

Social Security

Summary: Mandates that changes to Social Security be made on a bipartisan basis, and that workers can choose to invest payroll taxes in retirement.

Excerpt: “Young people deserve to know their Social Security will, in fact, be there when they retire, just as we have guaranteed it to their grandparents and parents today.”

Trade

Summary: Supports free trade with most nations, the reduction of trade barriers and the incorporation of labor and environmental standards into trade agreements.

Excerpt: “The United States and other developed countries should set an ambitious and specific target: to double the size of the world’s poorest economies within a decade.”

Armed forces

Summary: Supports increased military pay, funding and benefits. Opposes reinstitution of the draft and believes that homosexuals should not serve in the military. Supports exempting women from ground combat units.

Excerpt: “In the midst of a global struggle, the armed services continue to meet their goals for new recruits and retentions.”

Education

Summary: Supports Bush’s No Child Left Behind law, local control of schools and expanding charter schools.

Excerpt: “Students are benefiting from education reforms that set high academic standards, encourage strong parental involvement, recognize the role of excellent teachers, foster safe and orderly classrooms and establish a commitment to teaching ... reading and math.”

Immigration

Summary: Supports Bush’s proposed guest worker program, which would allow employed illegal immigrants to apply for a renewable three-year work permit.

Excerpt: “The Republican Party supports reforming the immigration system to ensure that it is legal, safe, orderly and humane.”

Source: Republican National Convention