Evening star., 1944-07-06
Observer Sees Stunt
In Democrat Platform

In Democrat Platform
Rumored Brevity Device Seen
Arousins Much Criticism
BY Dapid Laurence
Rumor has it-and q well-founded
one-that President Roosevelt has sug-
gested the writing OF Democratic ma
tional platform Of such brevity that
It can be memorized by campaign
speakers.
A . campaign stunt, this Is . good
idea. But as practical matter In
vote-getting and party harmony, the
device may be seriously questioned.
The criticism will come from many
directions. First, the Republicans will
say that the Democratic convention
was just \ formality, that it had no
Independence and was not even per-
mitted to write . platform. All the
various groups and organizations that
have been accustomed to getting
planks in the party platforms-and
many Of them have good causes-wilI
90 away disappointed. They will be
told that Just because of the Presidents
whim 1t was impossible to write a nor
NAL party platform.
Second. the Republicans will be able
to ask constantly during the campaign.
What Is the Democratic position?"
The Republicans will point to specific
planks In their own platform and
then will be able to say that the Demo-
cratic position is exactly zero-nothinz
has been said and nothing was per-
mitted to be said At. the Democratic
convention on those subjects.
Southern Revolt.
AS for the Southern revolt, 1t will
probably be intensified as a consequence
OF the abbreviated platform idea. Cey-
tain Southern delegations are preparing
to ask for particular planks and If the
Resolutions Committee Of the Demo-
cratic national convention has no au-
thoirty to include any planks except
the ones dictated by the President,
this will not help matters for the in
cumbent administration in the South.
For one thing, it may give the Texas
delegation the excuse it wants to divert
the electoral votes from the Roosevelt
column.
II the President insists upon the
idea OF having something that all
campaign speakers can memorize, per-
haps hundred words stating the OBJ
jects and purposes of the Democratic
administration, this can be adequately
fulfilled by writing a brief preamble to
the platform itself.
There Is no reason why campaign
speakers could not memorize the pre-
amble. If preamble" is too unim-
portant-looking. then there is no reason
why the platform itself could not be
brief but supplemented with an appen-
dix in which all the various platform
planks customarily written would be
inserted.
Despite the general criticism of plat
form planks as being either vague or
straddling. they do serve useful pur-
pose under the American political sys-
tenn. 1t has been widely recognized
that some platform planks are the
result of compromise and that the
nominee himself is permitted to inter-
pret his own position when the cam
paign develops.
World Of Meaning.
But there are other platform blanks
~f
Congress. Thus = member OF the
Senate and House may have in his
State . controversy over an issue and
the platform plank will assist in pre-
venting opposition from within one IS
own party. In many a primary cam
paign, an opponent has been squelched
when he has tried to change the party
position. Mere reference to the party
plank has been enough to prevent such
opposition on a particular issue.
But even more important is the use
fulness OF particular planks in local
areas where members Of Congress can
point with pride to the fact that the
Democratic or Republican national
(, platform has included specific mention
of issues that are dear to the hearts
OF the voters in certain areas.
1t would appear improbable that the
White House would be able to suuelch
minority reports from coming to the
convention floor and yet, by insisting on
a brief platform, the way is opened for
roll-call votes that will turn down
statements of policy with which many
OF the delegates actually agree.
The simplest way out of the dilemma
Is to write brief preamble and let the
platform take its natural course.
Otherwise the Republicans will pro-
claim loudly that the Democratic party
has certainly deteriorated to the extent
that not only has all opposition within
the party to the Presidents continuance
In power been suppressed, but the
Democratic national convention is not
even permitted nowadays to write a
platform Of its own.
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