What is a platform? A platform is:
- a public statement of the principles, objectives, and policy of a political party, esp. as put forth by the representatives of the party in a convention to nominate candidates for an election.
- a body of principles on which a person or group takes a stand in appealing to the public
An offshore drilling rig is known as a platform. It is from the platform that drilling for oil or gas can be accomplished. The platform must be strong enough to safely support men, equipment, and materials. Such platforms must follow solid engineering principles and applicable statutory laws and withstand natural forces. An offshore drilling platform physically supports the drilling machinery until the well or wells are completed. After the drilling processes have ended, the platform supports interconnecting pipelines that deliver the petroleum products to refineries.
A computer platform is the underlying technology that allows software to operate and interact with hardware and other software programs.
The platform of a political party is a set of beliefs, goals, and policies that a candidate is expected to support. These platforms are usually outlined in public documents, manifestos and speeches.
How does the idea of platform apply to the Republican Party of the State of Texas? The 2024 Platform and Resolutions of the Republican Party of Texas enunciate our principles, priorities, and planks. This document constructs the platform from which all Republican officeholders and candidates are expected to pursue elected offices and to act upon their elections.
The Republican platform planks are the products of thousands of propositions introduced and debated at precinct conventions. These propositions are next debated at county and senate district conventions. They are also reviewed during the tenure of the state Republican Party platform committee. Finally, they are debated and voted on by the delegates to the State Convention.
The Texas State Republican Party Executive Committee, the SREC, establishes the party’s principles and priorities. 62 delegates, 1 male and 1 female from each of the 31 Senate Districts, and the Chairman constitute the SREC.
Thereafter, the platform is a ‘tool.’ It is also a ‘measuring stick.’ Republican voters can use it to measure the claims and promises of Republican candidates for public office.
Post-State Convention debates undermine the work of the Texans who contributed to the platform’s construction. After convention delegates approve the platform, debates of the planks’ are passe. Instead of debates, the next steps are to promote the platform.
Fast Facts about 2024 Voters:
- Statewide registered voters: 17,948,242-source
- About 3.2 million Texans voted in the state’s primary election, down from 4.1 million during the 2020 presidential primary. Democratic turnout accounted for the entirety of the decline.-source
John N. White 