Platform length over time, in words
50K
25K
0
0
25K
50K
Shortest platform at 372 words
Shortest platform at 895 words
Longest platform at 38,180 words across six chapters
Longest platform at 41,275 words. One-third of it focused on terrorism
50,000
25,000
25,000
50,000
0
0
Shortest platform
Shortest platform
at 372 words
at 895 words
Supported investigating effect of Asian
immigration
First mentioned opposition to Asian
immigration
First mentioned
abortion
and conceded the party was split on
the issue.
First promised to ban
capital punishment
Longest platform at 38,180 words across six chapters
Supported marriage
equality and recognized
gay rights
as human rights
Longest platform at 41,275 words. One-third of it focused on terrorism
50,000
25,000
0
0
25,000
50,000
Shortest platform
Shortest platform
at 372 words
at 895 words
Supported investigating effect of Asian
immigration
First mentioned opposition to Asian
immigration
First mentioned
abortion
and conceded the party was split on
the issue.
First promised to ban
capital punishment
Longest platform at 38,180 words across six chapters
On trade,
suggested NAFTA would remove incentive for illegal immigration
Supported marriage
equality and recognized
gay rights
as human rights
Longest platform at 41,275 words. One-third of it focused on terrorism
The drafts of the 2016 party platforms taking shape suggest that political polarization continues to widen. The Republican document appears to further the party’s conservative and evangelical momentum, despite Donald Trump’s sometimes divergent views. The Democrats’ platform seems set to tilt left as Hillary Clinton consolidates supporters of former candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont. Here’s how some of those issues have evolved.
Immigration
At different points in history, the parties have portrayed immigration as a danger or a boon to the nation’s economy.
What the parties said about Immigration
The party opposed Asian immigration, calling those workers “the incursions of a race not sprung from the same great parent rock.”
1876
The platform opposed quotas and supported policies “to eliminate discrimination and to enable members of scattered families abroad to be united with relatives already
in our midsts.”
1960
The party supported immigration policy that was “pro-family, pro-work, pro-responsibility, and pro-citizenship” and opposed blaming immigrants for economic and social problems.
1996
1876
The government’s “immediate duty” is to investigate “the immigration and importation of Mongolians on the moral and material interests of the country.”
“Republican conscience and Republican policy require that: The annual number of immigrants we accept be at least doubled.”
1960
Calls to limit public benefits for illegal immigrants and deny citizenship to U.S.-born children whose parents arrived illegally.
1996
The party opposed Asian immigration, calling those workers “the incursions of a race not sprung from the same great parent rock.”
The government’s “immediate duty” is to investigate “the immigration and importation of Mongolians on the moral and material interests of the country.”
1876
1876
The platform opposed quotas and supported policies “to eliminate discrimination and to enable members of scattered families abroad to be united with relatives already in our midsts.”
“Republican conscience and Republican policy require that: The annual number of immigrants we accept be at least doubled.”
1960
1960
Called to limit public benefits for illegal immigrants and deny citizenship to U.S.-born children whose parents arrived illegally.
The party supported immigration policy that was “pro-family, pro-work, pro-responsibility, and pro-citizenship” and opposed blaming immigrants for economic and social problems.
1996
1996
What they’re saying now
Democrats
A platform draft says immigrants already in the U.S. “who are assets to their communities and contribute so much to our country, should be incorporated completely into our society.”
Republicans
The proposed platform includes Trump’s signature issue: A wall between the United States and Mexico border.
Gun control
Gun control arose as an issue following the 1963 assassination of then-President John F. Kennedy, who was killed by shots from a mail-order rifle. It gained momentum following the 1968 fatal shootings of Martin Luther King Jr. and then-Sen. Robert F. Kennedy.
What the parties said about Gun control
Praised the 1968 Gun Control Act, which banned mail-order sales, as a “step toward putting the weapons of wanton violence beyond the reach of criminal and irresponsible hands.”
1968
Supported tighter gun control, saying most police officers were killed with handguns. Mentioned the May shooting of then-Alabama Gov. George Wallace during a campaign stop in Maryland.
1972
Democrats said they would protect “Americans’ Second Amendment right to own firearms.”
2004
Supported laws to “control indiscriminatet availability of firearms, safeguarding the right of responsible citizens to collect, own and use firearms for legitimate purposes.”
1968
Opposed federal firearm registration and supported removing provisions in the 1968 Gun Control Act that don’t “significantly impact on crime but serve rather to restrain the law-abiding citizen in his legitimate use of firearms.”
1980
Continued support for gun ownership and condemned “frivolous lawsuits against gun manufacturers.”
2012
The platform supported laws to “control indiscriminate availability of firearms, safeguarding the right of responsible citizens to collect, own and use firearms for legitimate purposes.”
Praised the 1968 Gun Control Act, which banned mail-order sales, as a “step toward putting the weapons of wanton violence beyond the reach of criminal and irresponsible hands.”
1968
1968
1972
Supported tighter gun control, saying most police officers were killed with handguns. Mentioned the May shooting of then-Alabama Gov. George Wallace during a campaign stop in Maryland.
Opposed federal firearm registration and supported removing provisions in the 1968 Gun Control Act that don’t “significantly impact on crime but serve rather to restrain the law-abiding citizen in his legitimate use of firearms.”
1980
Democrats said they would protect “Americans’ Second Amendment right to own firearms.”
2012
Continued support for gun ownership and condemned “frivolous lawsuits against gun manufacturers.”
What they’re saying now
Democrats
Supports expanding background checks, closing loopholes, holding gun dealers and manufacturers accountable and banning assault weapons. Clinton’s stand on expanding concealed-carry permits is unclear.
Republicans
Continues to oppose an assault weapon ban and limits on clip or magazine capacity. Trump says he has a concealed-carry permit and favors expansion.
Trade
Both parties in the past have favored international trade agreements. But now, both Clinton and Trump oppose the pending Trans-Pacific Partnership deal, and support for trade in both platforms has softened.
What the parties said about Trade
The party supported multilateral trade agreements that “can advance our economic interests by expanding the global economy” as long as they protected workers and
the environment.
1992
The Clinton administration “has signed over 200 trade agreements … to open markets worldwide to American products.”
1996
2012
“We are on track to finalize the Trans-Pacific Partnership … that will address new and emerging trade issues.”
“In creating new economic opportunity in Mexico, a [North American Free Trade Agreement] removes the incentive to cross the border illegally in search of work.”
1992
“A new Republican government committed to NAFTA can enlarge it into a vision for hemispheric free trade, drawing nations closer.”
2000
“A Republican President will complete negotiations for a Trans-Pacific Partnership to open rapidly developing Asian markets to U.S. products.”
2012
The party supported multilateral trade agreements that “can advance our economic interests by expanding the global economy” as long as they protected workers and the environment.
“In creating new economic opportunity in Mexico, a [North American Free Trade Agreement] removes the incentive to cross the border illegally in search of work.”
1992
1992
The Clinton administration “has signed over 200 trade agreements … to open markets worldwide to American products.”
“A new Republican government committed to NAFTA can enlarge it into a vision for hemispheric free trade, drawing nations closer.”
1996
2000
“We are on track to finalize the Trans-Pacific Partnership … that will address new and emerging trade issues.”
2012
2012
“A Republican President will complete negotiations for a Trans-Pacific Partnership to open rapidly developing Asian markets to U.S. products.”
What they’re saying now
Democrats
“America has signed too many trade deals that have not lived up to the hype.”
Republicans
Trade deals should reflect a policy of “America First.”
The death penalty
Republican platforms have more consistently favored the death penalty, while positions of Democrats have shifted since Bill Clinton was president.
What the parties said about The death penalty
The party supported abolishing the death penalty, an “ineffective deterrent to crime.”
1972
Boasted the party had established the death penalty for nearly 60 violent crimes and enacted a law that would limit appeals.
1996
“The death penalty should must not be arbitrary.” Supported wider use of DNA testing and ensuring defendants have effective counsel.
2012
The platform supported allowing states to decide whether to impose the death penalty for certain crimes.
1976
“We support strong penalties, including the death penalty for major drug traffickers.”
1988
The party opposed a Supreme Court’s decision to ban the death penalty for the rape of a child, calling it an “unwarranted interference
… for the benefit of savage criminals whose guilt is
not at issue.”
2008
The platform supported allowing states to decide whether to impose the death penalty for certain crimes.
The party supported abolishing the death penalty, an “ineffective deterrent to crime.”
1972
1976
Boasted the party had established the death penalty for nearly 60 violent crimes and enacted a law that would limit appeals.
“We support strong penalties, including the death penalty for major drug traffickers.”
1988
1996
2008
The party opposed a Supreme Court’s decision to ban the death penalty for the rape of a child, calling it an “unwarranted interference … for the benefit of savage criminals whose guilt is not at issue.”
2012
“The death penalty should must not be arbitrary.” Supported wider use of DNA testing and ensuring defendants have effective counsel.
What they’re saying now
Democrats
Platform says abolish the death penalty, a cruel and unusual punishment. Clinton says she favors it only for limited, heinous crimes.
Republicans
Support for the death penalty is unwavering.
Abortion
The parties have been split on abortion for decades, and narrowing of that difference seems unlikely.
What the parties said about Abortion
The party opposed a constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court decision that extended a right of privacy to a woman’s decision to have an abortion.
1976
Platform stated abortion rights are deemed “a fundamental constitutional liberty.”
1992
“Abortion is an intensely personal decision between a woman, her family, her doctor, and her clergy; there is no place for politicians or government to get in the way.”
2012
Abortion makes its first appearance, but the platform concedes that the party is split on the issue.
1976
1980
The issue is considered settled, and the GOP seeks a constitutional amendment protecting “the right to life for unborn children.”
Opposed using public money to promote or perform abortion or to fund organizations that perform or advocate it. Opposed subsidizing health care that includes abortion coverage.
2012
Abortion made its first appearance on the platform, but it conceded that the party is split on the issue.
The party opposed a constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court decision that extended a right of privacy to a woman’s decision to have an abortion.
1976
1976
The issue is considered settled, and the party seeks a constitutional amendment protecting “the right to life for unborn children.”
1980
Platform stated abortion rights are deemed “a fundamental constitutional liberty.”
1992
Opposed using public money to promote or perform abortion or to fund organizations that perform or support it. Opposed subsidizing health care that includes abortion coverage.
“Abortion is an intensely personal decision between a woman, her family, her doctor, and her clergy; there is no place for politicians or government to get in the way.”
2012
2012
What they’re saying now
Democrats
“We will continue to oppose—and seek to overturn—federal and state laws and policies that impede a woman’s access to abortion.”
Republicans
Includes for emphasis the full text of the Hyde Amendment, which bans using federal funds for any form of abortion. Trump has made conflicting statements.
LGBT issues
Since 1992, Republican platforms have used only the word “homosexual,” while Democratic platforms have almost always use the words “gay” and “lesbian.”
What the parties said about LGBT issues
“A Democratic Administration will work vigorously to address, document, and end” violent acts of “bigotry, hatred and extremism” aimed at gay and lesbian people.
1984
The party opposed discrimination based on sexual orientation. But in September, Congressional Democrats supported the Defense of Marriage Act, limiting marriage to a man and a woman.
1996
The platform supported marriage equality. Recognized gay rights as human rights and promised to combat “efforts by other nations that criminalize homosexual conduct.”
2012
“We support the continued exclusion of homosexuals from the military as a matter of good order and discipline.” Dropped in 2012.
1992
The party praised Congressional Republicans for passing DOMA, which allowed states to not recognize same-sex marriages. DOMA was struck down in 2013.
1996
2012
“We condemn the hate campaigns, threats of violence, and vandalism by proponents of same-sex marriage against advocates of traditional marriage and call for a federal investigation into attempts to deny religious believers their civil rights.”
“A Democratic Administration will work vigorously to address, document and end” violent acts of “bigotry, hatred and extremism” aimed at gay and lesbian people.
“We support the continued exclusion of homosexuals from the military as a matter of good order and discipline. ” This position was not included in 2012.
1984
1992
The party opposed discrimination based on sexual orientation. But in September, Congressional Democrats supported the Defense of Marriage Act, limiting marriage to a man and a woman.
The party praised Congressional Republicans for passing DOMA, which allowed states to not recognize same-sex marriages. DOMA was struck down in 2013.
1996
1996
2012
The platform supported marriage equality. Recognized gay rights as human rights and promised to combat “efforts by other
nations that criminalize
homosexual conduct.”
2012
“We condemn the hate campaigns, threats of violence, and vandalism by proponents of same-sex marriage against advocates of traditional marriage and call for a federal investigation into attempts to deny religious believers their civil rights.”
What they’re saying now
Democrats
Applauds the Supreme Court decision allowing same-sex marriage. Favors “comprehensive federal non-discrimination protections for all LGBT Americans.”
Republicans
Endorses state laws to limit restroom access to gender identity at birth. Calls for reversing the Supreme Court’s marriage decision. Trump calls gays “tremendous people.”
Delegates to the party conventions will have the final say on the platforms.
Kim Soffen contributed to this report.
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