Chapter Seven

Listening to America: The Democratic Platform For Change

On August 25, the Democratic National Convention adopted the Party's 2008 Democratic National Platform -- "Renewing America's Promise."

This year's platform process was the most open in history. Tens of thousands of Americans took part in the more than 1,600 'Listening to America' Platform Meetings that were held by ordinary Americans in all 50 states. Written reports from the 'Listening to America' meetings were then submitted to the Platform Drafting Committee for inclusion in the draft platform. The Platform Drafting Committee submitted a draft to the full Platform Committee, which met in Pittsburgh, Pa. and recommended the Platform for adoption by the National Convention.

The platform, Renewing America's Promise, reflects Barack Obama's commitment to changing the way business is done in Washington so that we can create good jobs, break our dependence on foreign oil and end the war in Iraq responsibly. The platform outlines clear examples of how Democrats will make ethics reform a priority and find new ways to use technology to open government and make it more inclusive and accountable. Further, the platform recognizes the important role women play in the Democratic Party and the strength and diversity of a united party fighting for a new direction for America.

Click here to download the 2008 Democratic Platform.

Frequently Asked Questions about the National Platform and the Convention Platform Committee

What is the Platform?
What is the Platform Committee?
When will the Platform Committee meet?
How do individuals submit testimony to the Platform Committee?
Can I testify before the Platform Committee?
How does the Platform Committee operate?
How can someone become a Platform Committee Member?
How many members server on the Platform Committee?
When are the Platform Committee Members selected?
Who Chairs the Platform Committee?
What are the responsibilities of the Platform Committee Chairs?
What is the Platform Drafting Committee? Who Chairs the Committee?
What night does the Convention vote on the Platform? What about the other Committee reports?
May Platform Committee Members attend the Convention?
Who covers the costs associated with attending the Committee's meeting and the Convention?

What is the Platform?

The National Platform is an official statement of the Party’s position on a wide variety of issues. Each issue category included in the Platform is a “plank.” A new Platform is adopted every four years by the Democratic National Convention.

In 1840, the Democratic Party adopted the first-ever platform by a political party. That document was less than 1,000 words. Our 2004 Platform is about 25,000 words, but some Platforms have been as large as 40,000 words.

The Democratic Party has a long and proud history of representing and protecting the interests of working Americans and guaranteeing personal liberties for all. The 2004 National Platform emphasized four key Democratic Party ideals: (1) A Strong Respected America; (2) A Strong Growing Economy; (3) Strong, Healthy Families; and (4) A Strong American Community.

What is the Platform Committee?

The Platform Committee is one of three “Standing Committees” of the 2008 Democratic National Convention. The other two standing committees are the Credentials and Rules Committees. The Committee is responsible for drafting and recommending a proposed National Platform for approval at the Democratic National Convention. Its recommendation is presented as a Committee Report voted on by the delegates to the Democratic National Convention.

When will the Platform Committee meet?

The Platform Committee will meet Saturday, August 9 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at a location to be announced. Prior to the meeting, the Democratic National Committee will publish all relevant requirements and deadlines for submitting proposals for consideration by the standing committee. Proxies are not permitted for standing committee meetings.

How do individuals submit testimony to the Platform Committee?

Under the Democratic Party’s rules, any person may submit a written statement concerning the Platform to the Platform Committee at any time prior to the Committee’s meeting.

This year, the Democratic National Committee and the Obama for American campaign are launching Listening to America: The Democratic Platform for Change, an unprecedented initiative to reach out to all Americans as part of the Platform process. Beginning July 7 and ending on July 15, Americans across the country will be invited to visit the Obama for America or DNC websites to register to host or attend local “Platform meetings” for the purpose of discussing and making recommendations to the Democratic Platform. The meetings are scheduled to occur between July 19 and 27. The Obama for America campaign and the DNC are working together to send Policy experts and Platform Committee members to as many meetings as possible to help attendees in developing positions or making recommendations, which will be reported back via the OFA and DNC websites for review.

Additionally, written statements and testimony may be submitted by July 25. Correspondence should be mailed to: The Chairs of the Platform Committee, c/o The Democratic National Committee, 430 South Capitol Street, SE, Washington, D.C. 20003, or sent via email to platform@dnc.org.

Can I testify before the Platform Committee?

This summer’s Listening to America events will have broad scope and people will, within a meeting, have the ability to submit ideas, proposals, and recommendations to the Platform Committee. We encourage individuals to log on to www.democrats.org or www.barackobama.com and attend their nearest platform meeting.

The Platform Drafting Committee will hold a limited number of public forums. Any person may request permission to testify at a public hearing and/or forum. Generally, the opportunity to present testimony in person is limited based on timing and logistical considerations. A request to testify should be submitted in writing to the Platform Drafting Committee Chair by July 15.

How does the Platform Committee operate?

The Call for the 2008 Democratic National Convention outlines the general responsibilities of the Platform Committee, the composition of its membership, and its Rules of Procedure. The Committee may also adopt additional Rules of Procedure for conducting its business, and, absent other provisions, it operates under Robert’s Rules of Order (as most recently revised).

Before the Platform Committee meets, the DNC Chairman will distribute a document to the Platform Committee members outlining the issues to be considered by the committee. The document is usually an initial draft of the Platform as prepared by a small Platform Drafting Committee.

At the Platform Committee meeting, members discuss each plank of a draft platform. They have the opportunity to submit new proposed planks, or amendments to the draft. Proposals and amendments must be approved by a majority of the members present and voting. A proposal or amendment that fails on a majority vote can still be brought to the Convention floor as a minority report, with the support of members representing at-least 20% of the total votes of the Committee (37 members). Minority reports are voted on by the Convention delegates during the consideration of the Platform Committee’s report.

How can someone become a Platform Committee Member?

Any Democratic voter is eligible for membership to the Platform Committee or one of the other standing committees. Members do not have to be delegates to the Convention. Each state allocates its committee positions to presidential candidates based on the results of the state’s presidential primary or caucus. Presidential candidates who have qualified to receive committee positions nominate individuals for each committee, who are then elected by the state’s National Convention delegates. A detailed description of how and when each state and territory’s standing committee members are elected can be found within the state or territory’s Delegate Selection Plan.

As with all Democratic Party elections, membership on the standing committees is open to all Democrats, regardless of race, sex, age, color, creed, national origin, religion, ethnic identity, sexual orientation, economic status or physical disability.

How many members serve on the Platform Committee?

Each Convention Standing Committee has a total of 186 members (not including Committee officers) that cast 183 votes. Members are allocated as follows:

• A total of 157 members are proportionally allocated among the states based on population and Democratic voting strength. (The District of Columbia and Puerto Rico are treated as states.)
• Four members are allocated to represent American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Democratic Party Committee Abroad (“Democrats Abroad”) with each member casting ¼ vote. (These jurisdictions are collectively referred to as the “territories.”)
• Each committee includes 25 Party Leader and Elected Official (PLEO) members. These members were nominated by DNC Chairman Howard Dean and elected by the DNC Executive Committee in January 2008.
• Members selected by each state and territory, as well as the PLEO members, must be as equally divided as mathematically practicable between men and women.

When are the Platform Committee Members selected?

Once a state or territory finishes selecting its National Convention delegates, those delegates meet and vote on the members to serve on the Platform and other standing committees. All state-based standing committee members were selected by late June 2008. The 25 PLEO members were elected by the DNC Executive Committee in January 2008 upon nomination by DNC Chairman Howard Dean.

Who Chairs the Platform Committee?

On January 11, 2008, DNC Chairman former Governor Howard Dean announced the selection of Governor Deval Patrick of Massachusetts, former New Mexico Attorney General Patricia Madrid, and the former President and CEO of Discovery Communications, Inc., Judith McHale, to serve as the Chairs of the 2008 Platform Committee. They were nominated by Chairman Dean and elected by the DNC Executive Committee.

What are the responsibilities of the Platform Committee Chairs?

The Chairs call and preside over the Platform Committee’s meeting(s), prepare an agenda for the orderly conduct of the committee’s business, and supervise preparation of research studies and briefing materials as required to accomplish the committee’s work.

What is the Platform Drafting Committee? Who Chairs the Committee?

The Platform Drafting Committee is responsible for preparing an initial draft of the Platform, which is used as a working document by the Platform Committee at its meeting. Governor Janet Napolitano of Arizona was appointed to serve as the Chair of the 2008 Platform Drafting Committee by Chairman Dean. The fifteen members of this Committee were appointed by Chairman Dean in July 2008. These members do not have to be members of the Platform Committee. The Drafting Committee is considered a subcommittee of the Platform Committee.

What night does the Convention vote on the Platform? What about the other Committee reports?

The Platform Committee’s Report is considered as the third item of formal business by the Convention and has traditionally been considered on either the first day (Monday) or the second day (Tuesday) of the Convention. The Credentials Committee’s Report is considered as the first item of business on the first day (Monday) of the Convention, since it affects the seating of delegates. The second item of business considered at the Convention is the Rules Committee’s Report, which recommends the agenda, procedural rules, and officers for the Convention.

May Platform Committee Members attend the Convention?

Any standing committee member who is not already a delegate or alternate will receive a credential for guest seating for all four nights of the National Convention.

Who covers the costs associated with attending the Committee’s meeting and the Convention?

Each standing committee member is responsible for his or her own costs. Members should contact their State Party for information on how and where to seek financial assistance to help defray expenses.