And as political scientists have discovered from research on party platforms and policymaking over the past half-century, the vast majority of platform promises eventually are adopted. Departures in public policy initiated by Ronald Reagan after the 1980 election and Clinton after his 1992 victory, for example, were explicitly previewed in their respective party platforms. Adjustments were made, of course, in response to changing economic and political conditions. But the direction of Reagan's and Clinton's administrations was crystal clear well before the election. And so it will be for President Bush or President Gore.
Party platforms do indeed make a difference.