Democratic Party Finishes Drafting Platform
CLEVELAND — The platform drafting committee of the Democratic Party finished composing their blueprint of the most important issues to their Party today. The document includes many of Hillary Clinton’s policies, particularly on health care reform stressing universal coverage for all–something she emphasized during her primary campaign.
Wording was changed from the working draft to include Clinton’s stance on the issue after supporters of hers urged the committee to do so. The draft will now read, “As affordable coverage is made available, individuals should purchase health insurance. While there are differing approaches within the party about how best to achieve the commitment of universal coverage, we stand united to achieve this fundamental objective through the legislative process.”
During the primary, one of the biggest differences between Clinton and Barack Obama was that she believed in mandates obligating people to buy health insurance, while Obama was opposed to such enforcement. Clinton often went after her opponent saying his plan would leave millions uninsured.
The committee said that this is not a change of policy for Obama and there is not one consensus on health care reform, but that the Party is united in bringing low-cost health coverage to all Americans, “We believe that as you make health care more affordable, people will be able to buy that health care—that’s a basic principal. How we get there is a matter of legislative process,” said Michael Yaki, an Obama aide who directed the platform drafting meetings.
Yaki stressed that it is not a compromise between the Clinton and Obama sides and instead the Party worked together on the health care part of the platform and they wanted to praise Clinton for her years of working on health care reform.
The new wording was proposed by former Clinton backer Fabian Nunez who said that the New York Senator would be very pleased with the addition of her health care ideas into the platform draft and although the primary was a bruising one for the Democratic Party Nunez said they are now united to defeat John McCain, “If you look at everybody here people got along very well. You’ll see that whatever it is the final document here on the platform is one that we are all going to fight for in full force as we get to the convention and I think we are all pleased with the result and we are one big happy family and now we just want to grow. We want to reach out to the Independents. We want to bring some Republicans that have been left out so they can also join our effort to elect Senator Obama as the next president.”
Today’s session went through more domestic policy issues for the Party including reversing President Bush’s tax cuts. Chris Jennings, former top health care policy advisor to President Clinton asked for language to be strengthened in that section to make clear Senator Obama’s commitment to not raise taxes for anyone making less than 250,000 dollars a year.
During the rest of the session, like yesterday, members were in almost total agreement. Issues included comprehensive immigration reform, improved emergency response to natural disasters, protecting children and seniors, campaign finance reform, reproductive rights and defending Roe vs. Wade, amongst others. Committee members also pledged to uphold the second amendment, the right to keep and bear arms. The Party emphasized that the gun show loophole had to be closed and stressed gun holders to act responsibly, but wanted to make sure to protect every Americans’ constitutional right.
The committee also took the opportunity to go after the Bush administration and distinguish how different an Obama presidency would be, “In recent years, we’ve seen an Administration put forward a false choice between the liberties we cherish and the security we demand.” The draft reads, “We will restore our constitutional traditions, and recover our nation’s founding commitment to liberty under law. We reject illegal wire-tapping of American citizens…We reject torture. We reject sweeping claims of ‘inherent’ presidential power. We will revisit the Patriot Act and overturn unconstitutional executive decisions issued during the past eight years.”
The draft will be approved when the full platform committee meets next weekend in Pittsburgh. The final document will be voted on at the Democratic convention, beginning August 25 in Denver.
Tags: barack obama, Chris Jennings, Fabian Nunez, hillary clinton, john mccain, Michael, Yaki
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One thing McCain keeps advocating is the safty of nuclear power.When Japan had an earthquake last summer,312 gallons of radioactive water from a plant silled into thesea of Japan.Great idea McCain.
Requiring health care insurance purchases without specifiying any limits on health care costs does nothing to solve the problems people are having affording health care. I see “health care” companies as a prime financial source for commercial television these days. Let’s get real!
Words, words, and more words. Flip Flop, Clip Clop, and the old donkey walks on.
$500,000,000.00 to win the white house. . . .chump change you can believe in.
What are the do nothing RNC plans ???
Rally behind Ron Paul and get that grumpy old man out of view
And will there be a plank regarding balancing the budget and eliminating the $9 trillion plus national debt? To put it in perspective: If a stack of $1,000 dollar bills equaling $1 million dollars is 4 inches high, then a stack of $1,000 dollar bills equaling America’s current national debt is more than 750 MILES HIGH! How much taxpayer money is thrown away every year on interest payments to nations that are not friendly to the U.S? Billions I am sure!! Spend, Spend, Spend is what I hear the candidates say. But how are they going to pay for all the spending? More debt piled onto the backs of our children, no doubt. What about cut, cut, cut………. haven’t heard either candidate talk much about that topic……….
The DNC is the biggest joke! They basically GAVE Obama the nomination and now talk about Hillary Clnton’s health care plan, the same Hillary Clinton they CHEATED out of the nomination. And Obama as President… NO EXPERIENCE! NO WRIGHT! NO OBAMA! NO WAY! EVER!
Signed,
DEM now IND
The committee also took the opportunity to go after the Bush administration and distinguish how different an Obama presidency would be, “In recent years, we’ve seen an Administration put forward a false choice between the liberties we cherish and the security we demand.” The draft reads, “We will restore our constitutional traditions, and recover our nation’s founding commitment to liberty under law. We reject illegal wire-tapping of American citizens…We reject torture. We reject sweeping claims of ‘inherent’ presidential power. We will revisit the Patriot Act and overturn unconstitutional executive decisions issued during the past eight years.”
Not everyone in the party rejects illegal wire-tapping considering Obama voted for telecom immunity.
Has anyone noticed how CNN has become FOX-lite? Republicans? I think Lincoln would be re-registering as Democrat. The Republican party is now just a party representing the far right fringe. Doesn’t our constitution mention something about the separation of church and State? I think so.
If my child has a toothache, I’d take him to see the dentist….not an inexperienced speaker.
If my child has a vision problem, I’d take him to see an ophthalmologists….not an inexperienced speaker.
If my child has a skin problem, I’d take him to see a dermatologist….not an inexperienced speaker.
Our nation is sick with many problems: mortgage crisis, loosing jobs overseas, war, and etc. just to name a few.
Please, don’t let an inexperienced speaker come fix our nation’s problems!
Especially not an inexperienced speaker who had to borrow ideas from a looser Clinton!
NO OBAMA!
The Democratic Platform is platform heels and patton leather. When will people realize socialism is not Americanism? Universal healthcare run by the government? Are you serious? What is next?
The sad thing Old Man River thinks it is cool to cross party lines on critcal votes on illegal immigration, tax cuts ( oh thats right he changed his mind about that), etc…
The Democrat Party does not need a platform, it needs a trampoline so that Obama can keep bouncing around the issues. Now that it no longer matters, Obama wants to allow the Florid and Michigan delegates to vote out of his newfound concern for their rights. Where was this concern when the nomination was in dispute? Now that the American people have demanded offshore drilling, Obama suddenly says he is for offshore drilling and was never totally against it. Obama now says he will re-invadeIraq if the troop withdrawal leads to chaos. Obama keeps claiming that he offfers a new kind of leadership, but it seems that Obama intends to exercise that leadership by sitting in the back seat and either agreeing or disagreeing with other people’s decisions depending upon how things are going at the moment.
Barack,
all I can say, is speak the truth and don’t let McCain or others get under your skin.
If you heart is right then bright lights will shine on you and your family coming this Nov.
Some Americans are letting their emotions guide them rather than common sense.
I say let God guide you and those Americans who are for peace and love of everyone.
Do be careful and watch your back and sides, and remember that everything in front of
you needs examining before following.
Hillary Health care plan will be enacted by Pres Obama in 2010!!!!!
So Hillary is not good enough to nomonate, but the DNC will take all her ideas and run with them. What a total slap in the face for her. Obama, no never will I vote for him. When he won his first office in Ohio, he did the same thing with the longtime, good candidate there. He trashed her.
Just wait and see what happens if he gets elected. All you Obama supporters will be in for a big suprise.
VOTERS ALERT: The Dems in Congress walked out before a drilling or energy bill
could be voted on. When Nancy was asked about the vote all she did was studder.
When are the voters going to understand that everything was going pretty well in
our Country until the do nothing Dem Congress took over 2 years ago. Think about
how good the ecomony was 2 years ago folks. We need to get the no nothing Dems
out this election down the line.
Draft to get Hilary on the ticket as PRESIDENT. then maybe the Dem. will come togather.
Comment by Diana Hou
August 4th, 2008 at 1:02 am
If my child has a toothache, I’d take him to see the dentist….not an inexperienced speaker.
If my child has a vision problem, I’d take him to see an ophthalmologists….not an inexperienced speaker.
If my child has a skin problem, I’d take him to see a dermatologist….not an inexperienced speaker.
Our nation is sick with many problems: mortgage crisis, loosing jobs overseas, war, and etc. just to name a few.
Please, don’t let an inexperienced speaker come fix our nation’s problems!
Especially not an inexperienced speaker who had to borrow ideas from a looser Clinton!
NO OBAMA!
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Would you take you child to a doctor whose record of success in handling your child problem is not proven. In regards to you child, I would think you would look at the doctors reputation.
McCain is a 3rd term Bush candidate and I do not trust that McCain has the best interest of our chidren in mind. I think McCain is only interested in making a good name for his party, which has suffered a great deal under BUSH.
It’s time we ensure health and long-term financial security for all. That’s why AARP is leading Divided We Fail, an initiative to give voice to millions of Americans who are tired of letting Washington gridlock stand in the way of affordable, quality health care and long-term financial security – the most pressing domestic issues facing our nation. Common sense solutions are needed, and everyone – individuals, businesses and government – has a role and a responsibility in ensuring health and financial security for all. Go to http://www.dividedwefail.org to learn more.
We must ,as a country, get on a 12 step program to end our dependency on oil. Not being able to meet our energy needs as a country is one of the most dangerous and urgent threats this nation has ever faced.”After one president, Bush, as stayed in the pocket of big oil, we can’t afford another, McCain is just another Bush he cannot be trusted. Obama’s windfall profits tax on big oil will give families a $1,000 rebate. A president who’ll stand up for you. Big Business will be held accountable. Obama is now putting together his coalition to tackle this countries energy needs . Will you be part of it. Obama also backs a policy to get Americans into ultra efficient cars. Our energy crisis is too urgent to allow partisan bickering. We must adopt a responsible but aggressive set of policies to get our country on the right track. We must set as a priority getting new energy from renewable sources.[trb 08/04/08]
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For more on alternative Energy: http://energyalternativesadvisor.blogspot.com/