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Bakersfield's McCarthy steers Republican Party into convention
| Saturday, Aug 30 2008 5:49 PM
Last Updated: Saturday, Aug 30 2008 5:49 PM
Bakersfield’s Rep. Kevin McCarthy was appointed co-chairman of the Republican Party’s Platform Committee. He served with North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr.
With the Republican National Convention opening Monday, today’s Forum is devoted to a question-and-answer exchange with McCarthy. It focuses on the convention, the party’s platform and McCarthy’s high-profile role on the national political stage.
McCarthy and his 112-member committee set up a Web site to solicit suggestions for the party’s platform. The Bakersfield congressman reported many platform ideas were posted by Kern County Republicans.
A platform is a declaration of a party’s position on various issues, which are called “planks.” Platforms evolved when political parties began holding national committees in the mid-19th century and have been the source of some knock-down drag-out fights.
In 1860, Democrats battled over slavery. A civil rights plank divided the party in 1948. And disagreement over the Vietnam war became bloody outside the 1968 convention in Chicago.
It’s not just the Democrats who have battled over their party’s platform. In 1984, Republicans feuded over a rigid plank against increasing taxes, while the Reagan administration pressed for more moderate language.
Today, both parties try to settle platform disagreements quietly and behind the scenes before their national conventions begin.
Q How were you selected to co-chair the Republican Platform Committee?
A Every four years, a congressman, senator and governor are chosen to serve as the chair and co-chairs of the platform committee. The chair rotates among the three and this year it is the House’s turn. I was named by House Republican Leader John Boehner to not only serve on the committee, but also to serve as chairman. Since Sen. Burr and I work well together, we just decided to serve as co-chairmen. We have similar characteristics. We are younger members in the bodies we serve. We are optimistic. And we share the concept that even in these tough times, we can put forward a hopeful vision of the future.
Q What does this mean for you and for your Bakersfield constituents?
A We asked Americans to join us in helping craft the party’s platform by submitting ideas to an Internet town hall at www.gopplatform2008.com. Many submissions were from our own congressional district. I look forward to bringing common sense and our Kern County values to solving America’s challenges. In particular, we live in an energy-rich area that has the solutions to solve our energy crisis. We are on America’s forefront of renewable energy production — wind power, solar power, geothermal power and nuclear power — and also oil production. We have solutions that can translate nationally to get us off foreign oil and help us achieve energy independence and lower gas prices.
Q What is a platform?
A Writing a platform is an opportunity to design where the Republican Party stands, and set a principled plan of how we can solve our country’s challenges. The best ideas are not in Washington, but throughout America. That is why we developed a Web site to serve as a 24/7 Internet town-hall. It is a way to listen to Americans of all walks of life. After analyzing ideas submitted through the Web, the platform committee, which is made up of 112 people — two individuals from every state plus the territories — writes a platform. It is my hope we craft a document that is principled, solutions-oriented and forward-looking.
Q Why should anyone care?
A That’s the challenge with any platform. How do we get people to read the document and support it? It starts with getting more people involved, asking them to contribute their ideas, and not being afraid to challenge our own ideas through open debate to ultimately let the power of the idea win at the end of the day. The challenge is taking those ideas and crafting a document that people want to read. To get there, you don’t look at the number of words, but what is actually being said. Is it hopeful, bold and solutions-oriented, and does it move us forward?
Q You were quoted as telling The Hill newspaper that likely there would be two platforms — the presidential candidate’s and the party’s? What did you mean?
A There’s one platform for the Republican Party and then Sen. McCain has his own campaign of what he runs on. The platform we write is the Republican Party’s platform. You won’t see Sen. McCain running away from it, but Sen. McCain will devise his own campaign based on what he runs his election upon. So, there might be a difference or two where the Republican Party stands. But there will probably be differences where every Republican stands. Ultimately, I believe we will come together, fight for solutions, and enthusiastically support our platform.
Q What does this mean to voters?
A While a platform is a party document, it is also a document that should speak to the hopes and dreams of Americans nationwide, including independents, Democrats and Republicans. It gives Americans the power to choose based on a vision of solutions for not only today’s generation, but also the next generation. Whether it is energy independence, an improved health care system that focuses on the patient (not insurance companies or the government), or cutting taxes for America’s working families to grow our economy, our platform process has focused on listening to solutions throughout America.
Q What are the “core” values a Republican Party platform must contain?
A We are the party whose first platform in 1856 boldly stood for freedom, equality and opportunities for all Americans. We are the party that at its core stands for the American individual and working family — from cutting taxes, because we know how to better spend our money than the government does, to a strong national defense that protects our freedoms. So the platform should present our values to say not what America can’t do, but what America can do.
Q Political polling indicates the Republican Party will take a beating in November in congressional races. Independents hold the key to electing Republican presidential candidate John McCain. Will the party platform reflect the need to court moderate voters?
A Our platform is not driven by what the pollsters are saying. It’s about leadership and tackling our nation’s challenges. We are Republicans, but we also are strong enough to put country first. Our future is not about red and blue, but red, white and blue. It’s about using our values to solve our nation’s problems. The party platform is about looking forward and growing America’s greatness.
Q Isn’t a party platform more about image than reality? Who reads them, anyway?
A We’ve seen from participation on the Web site that Americans from every state and from every walk of life cared about submitting their ideas to make a difference in America. We’ve opened up the process because it’s not about the status quo mentality of relying on Washington talking points. It’s about the power of the idea. In this time of challenge, where Americans are engaged in record numbers because they care about our future, and where technology can break down barriers to unify Americans in a way that’s as easy as clicking a mouse, we should reach out to work together. We can write a forward-looking platform. And by doing that, we can shake up the system and do what people thought was not possible. We can make this election about solving challenges so we can grow stronger and build the foundation to move the next generation forward.
Q Just before and during the Republican Convention, a “youth convention group” is to convene a weeklong program in Minneapolis. The group is sponsored by the Kern County Republican Party. Why does Kern have such a high-profile role?
A This is not your grandfather’s Republican Party. This is a party that boldly embraces leadership and new ideas. We are a party committed to experience that is ready to lead today, and that will invest in the future of American leadership. I will be there to help in that effort, along with other Republicans from California and from all corners of America. Our children will face challenges, probably mightier challenges than we face today. I am proud we will be a part of ensuring a stronger future by doing our part today.
Q As of the June 30 filing, you reportedly had $823,995 in your campaign war chest. That’s a lot of money for someone who has no re-election challenger. You have said you collected the money to prepare for a possible challenger. Of course, that’s nonsense. What will you do with it?
A Some people may just sit back and rest on their laurels. I will keep working and ensure I have the resources to keep communicating with our neighbors in the 22nd District. Just because you don’t have an opponent doesn’t mean you don’t work hard at your job. You find ways to be creative and find solutions. That is why I worked with my colleagues to create GOP Young Guns, a way to support candidates that embody the leadership characteristics and the fight needed to fix a broken Washington.
Q In the past, you have supported Republican candidates in tough races with mixed (OK, poor) results. How do you decide where to direct your contributions? Should Kern County donors be OK with their money going to these candidates?
A I support those who share our values of hard work, optimism, strong ethics and a can-do spirit in confronting challenges ahead of them. These are the leaders we need in local, state and federal government. Ultimately, these are the leaders that will strengthen America.
Q Should Kern County residents be pleased by your high-profile in national politics?
A That is my hope. I am grateful everyday I have been entrusted to serve. I tell the story of the marble steps leading into the Capitol because it reminds me of the immense challenges this nation has overcome throughout our history. From two World Wars, to establishing equal rights, to becoming the world’s greatest power and force of good, we should be optimistic and hopeful because we have shown we are and can continue to be a nation that comes together and finds solutions. But that takes leadership. It is my goal each day to work with that can-do spirit in my role as a policymaker.