Political Party Platforms: Do They Really Matter?

Political platforms are called exercises in democracy that give voice to grassroots activists. But Republican chairman Reince Priebus has already said that this year's effort is, "the platform of the Republican Party. It's not the platform of Mitt Romney." Do both parties share the same risk of platforms that cater to narrow constituencies: somebody might read them. Also, President Obama warns Syria against the use of chemical weapons, and a "flash drought" on the Mississippi means it's not so mighty — at least for now.

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