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convention as well as forwarding resolutions to that body.) The Rules Committee had
recommended that the small number of people wishing to participate after missing the primary
be allowed to do so after taking an oath of loyalty to the party. This recommendation was
overturned on the floor. Another controversy arose over whether Republican candidates should
be given a questionnaire to determine their stands on planks in the party’s platform. Supporters
argued that this was simply a way to see if candidates backed the platform; opponents claimed
the questionnaire was the beginning of litmus tests. The proposal was approved on a close
voice vote.
These debates were less important in their own right than they were as indicators of
sentiment among the majority of delegates. They were staunch conservatives committed to
keeping the party as pure as possible. Their outlook could be seen clearly in the platform,
which contained numerous provisions far outside the mainstream of political debate. Among
them were return to the gold standard, abolition of the Federal Reserve system, withdrawal from
the United Nations, repeal of all federal gun control legislation, repeal of minimum wage
legislation, and the overhaul or repeal of environmental legislation (“We believe the environment
is best served by individuals working in their own best interest.”) The platform also contained
more standard Republican positions, including opposition to affirmative action and
decriminalization of homosexual activity, a staunch pro-life position, emphasis on local control
and parental choice in education, and major cuts in taxes. Governor Bush refused to be bound
by the platform. “Platforms are statements of principles,” he said. “If I disagree with certain
parts of the platform, I just move on and campaign.”
42
The delegates interviewed were split in their orientation toward the party. Those with
strong ties to the Christian Coalition tended to put fidelity to favored causes above loyalty to the
party. For these people, abortion was a preeminent concern. A Christian Coalition county chair
volunteered that he was “a pro-life Republican.” Although he was also a precinct chair in the
party, he indicated strong agreement with the statement that he would stop working for it if he
Convention