2008 REPUBLICAN PLATFORM This platform is respectfully dedicated to our “…heroes proved In liberating strife, Who more than self their country loved And mercy more than life.” _______ America the Beautiful Katharine Lee Bates PAID FOR BY THE COMMITTEE ON ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE 2008 REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION 651-467-2008 • WWW.GOPCONVENTION2008.COM NOT AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE OR CANDIDATE’S COMMITTEE Chairmen’s Preamble This is a platform of enduring principle, not This platform likewise rests on proven truths passing convenience — the product of the most open and tested wisdom as it looks ahead, both to deal and transparent process in American political history. with present challenges and to explore possibilities We offer it to our fellow Americans in the assurance that may sometimes seem beyond our grasp. It that our Republican ideals are those that unify our shows what the American people can accomplish country: Courage in the face of foreign foes. An opti- when government respects their rights, conserves mistic patriotism, driven by a passion for freedom. their resources, and calls upon their love of country. Devotion to the inherent dignity and rights of every It is not a tribute to bigger government. person. Faith in the virtues of self-reliance, civic Our platform is presented with enthusiasm and commitment, and concern for one another. Distrust confidence in a vision for the future, but also of government’s interference with genuine humility — in people’s lives. Dedication As the party of ideas, rather than humility before God and to a rule of law that both pro- a mere coalition of interests, before a nation of free and tects and preserves liberty. independent thinkers. As the we consider vigorous debate We present this platform party of ideas, rather than a at an uncertain point in time. a strength, not a weakness. mere coalition of interests, Our country remains at war Indeed, we are a party — as we we consider vigorous debate and committed to victory, but a strength, not a weakness. reckless political forces would are a nation — of mavericks. Indeed, we are a party — as we imperil that goal and endan- are a nation —of mavericks. ger our nation. In the econo- Yet we stand united my and in society at large, it is today because we are the one a time of transformation. But the American people party that speaks to all Americans — conservatives, will meet these challenges. Even with its uncertain- moderates, libertarians, independents, and even lib- ties, they embrace the future, but they are also too erals. We welcome all to our deliberations in the firm wise to rush headlong into it. We are an adventur- belief that the principles embodied in this platform ous, risk-taking people, but we are not gamblers. A will prove to be as compelling and persuasive as they sound democracy trusts new leadership but insists are vital and enduring. We do not fear disagreement, that it demonstrate the old virtues: the character and and we do not demand conformity, but we do fight the command that, in times of conflict and crisis, for our principles with confidence that the best ideas have led the Republic through its trials. will prevail in the end. • i • Our party embodies a uniquely American With gratitude for eight years of honorable spirit. It is the spirit of independent minds, the con- service from President George W. Bush and Dick viction that open and honest debate is essential to the Cheney, the Republican Party now stands united freedom we enjoy as Americans. This platform is a behind new leadership, an American patriot, John testament to that freedom and stands as our promise McCain. In support of his candidacy and those of to future generations that we will do whatever it takes our fellow Republicans across the nation — and ever to preserve it. It is grounded on our heartfelt belief grateful to Almighty God for the political, religious, that our principles, our policies, and our vision will and civil liberties we enjoy — we, the representatives lead our American family, not just through present of the Republican Party in the states and territories dangers, but to a horizon of prosperity and liberty of the United States, offer this platform to the mankind has only begun to explore. American people. • ii • Table of Contents Defending Our Nation, Supporting Our Heroes, Securing the Peace 1 Reforming Government to Serve the People 15 Expanding Opportunity to Promote Prosperity 23 Energy Independence and Security 31 Environmental Protection 35 Health Care Reform: Putting Patients First 37 Education Means a More Competitive America 43 Protecting Our Families 47 Preserving Our Values 51 • iii • • iv • Defending Our Nation, Supporting Our Heroes,Securing the Peace Three decades ago, in a world as dangerous Defending Our Nation as today’s, Americans of all stripes came together The Current Conflict Abroad to advance the cause of freedom. They had wit- nessed the wreckage of inexperienced good inten- All Americans should affirm that our first obli- tions at the highest levels of government, gation is the security of our country. To all those who the folly of an amateur foreign policy. And so, in defend it, we owe our full support and gratitude. defiance of a world-wide Marxist advance, they The waging of war — and the achieving of announced a goal as enduring as the vision of peace — should never be micromanaged in a party Isaiah, to “proclaim liberty to the captives,” and platform, or on the floor of the Senate and House of summed up America’s strategy for achieving that Representatives for that matter. In dealing with pres- end in a timeless slogan: ent conflicts and future crises, Peace through strength — an our next president must pre- For seven years, the horror of enduring peace, based on serve all options. It would be freedom and the will to September 11, 2001 has not been presumptuous to specify defend it. repeated on our soil. For that, we are them in advance and fool- That goal still requires hardy to rule out any action the unity of Americans prayerfully grateful and salute all deemed necessary for our beyond differences of party who have played a role in security. and conflicts of personality. defending our homeland. Homeland Security The rancor of past years must now give way to a com- We acknowledge and mon goal of security for our appreciate the significant con- country and safety for our tributions of all of America’s people. For seven years, the horror of September 11, First Responders, who keep us safe and secure and 2001 has not been repeated on our soil. For that, we who are ever ready to come to our aid. The security are prayerfully grateful and salute all who have of our country is now everyone’s responsibility, from played a role in defending our homeland. We the Department of Homeland Security to state and pledge to continue their vigilance and to assure they local first responders, private businesses, and indi- have the authority and resources they need to protect vidual families. The fact that eighty percent of our the nation. critical infrastructure is in private hands highlights • 1 • the need for public-private partnerships to safeguard standards for existing nuclear materials wherever it, especially in the energy industry. they may be located. Along with unrelenting vigilance to prevent But that is not enough. We must develop and bioterrorism and other WMD-related attacks, we deploy both national and theater missile defenses to must regularly exercise our ability to quickly respond protect the American homeland, our people, our if one were to occur. We must continue to remove Armed Forces abroad, and our allies. Effective, lay- barriers to cooperation and information sharing. ered missile defenses are critical to guard against the Modernized 9-1-1 services must be made universally unpredictable actions of rogue regimes and outlaw available and be adequately funded. We must be able states, reduce the possibility of strategic blackmail, to thwart cyber attacks that could cripple our econo- and avoid the disastrous consequences of an acci- my, monitor terrorist activities while respecting dental or unauthorized launch by a foreign power. Americans’ civil liberties, and protect against mili- Better Intelligence — the Key to Prevention tary and industrial espionage and sabotage. All this requires experienced leadership. Intelligence is America’s first line of defense. Terrorism and Nuclear Proliferation We must increase the ranks and resources of our human intelligence capabilities, integrate technical The attacks of September 11, 2001 were a pivot and human sources, and get that information more point in our national experience. They highlighted quickly to the warfighter and the policy maker. The the failure of national policy to recognize and multi-jurisdictional arrangements that now prevail respond to the growth of a global terror network. on Capitol Hill should be replaced by a single Joint They should have put an end to the Democrats’ naive Committee on Intelligence. thinking that international terrorists could be dealt with within the normal criminal justice system, but Intelligence is Key to Fighting Bioterrorism and Cyberterrorism that misconception persists. Bioterrorism and cyberterrorism, once the stuff The gravest threat we face — nuclear terror- of science fiction films, are immediate threats to our ism — demands a comprehensive strategy for reduc- nation’s health and safety. Our food and water dis- ing the world’s nuclear stockpiles and preventing tribution systems require special vigilance. By the proliferation. The U.S. should lead that effort by same token, a well-placed cyber-attack could cripple reducing the size of our nuclear arsenal to the lowest our economy, shut down our energy and transporta- number consistent with our security requirements tion systems, wreck our health care delivery systems, and working with other nuclear powers to do the and put millions of lives at risk.