Free Republic

The platform is the party's contract with the people." This noble sentiment has been used by both Republicans and Democrats in characterizing their state and national party platforms over the decades. It can become an embarrassing yardstick for any party that lives a double life. Consider President Bush and his Texas State Republican Platform of 2002, which is still in effect. The authors and endorsers of this lengthy document were taking no chances. It says crisply that each "Republican candidate for a public or party office shall be provided a current copy of the party platform at the time of...

<p>The spate of well-organized and violent anti-American protests in Iraq betrays the guiding hand of Ba'ath extremists or "agents provocateurs" from Iran. Not unexpected. But in years to come, the future sponsors of such hate-America rallies might well come as a shock, if the nation- building foreign aid experience in the Balkans provides any lessons.</p>