Republicans Some take issue with platform

A final report is expected to be approved today.
Dallas Morning News
NEW YORK -- A Republican convention means a Republican platform -- and a Republican platform means arguments about abortion, same-sex marriage and other social issues.
Sure enough, supporters of abortion rights and gay rights protested what they called a lack of inclusive language during platform hearings Wednesday.
"It's certainly not going to help bring moderates into the party," said Jennifer Blei Stockman, national co-chairwoman of Republican Majority for Choice.
Republicans said their party is committed to protecting marriage and the unborn, but they added that all views are welcome.
"It shows our diversity," said Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee, the platform committee chairman. "It's our strength."
Final report
The committee is expected to ratify a final report today.
Presented with a 93-page draft proposal, platform committees worked on wording in five sets of meetings: Winning the War on Terror, Ushering in an Ownership Era, Building an Innovative (and) Globally Competitive Economy, Strengthening Our Communities and Protecting Our Families.
The last meeting drew the most attention.
"We are not even asking for a pro-choice platform," Stockman said. "We are asking the party to recognize the full range of views on family issues."
Meanwhile, the Log Cabin Republicans, a gay-rights group, criticized a platform endorsement of a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. They cited this week's opposition to such a move by Vice President Dick Cheney, whose daughter is a lesbian.
"This call for a constitutional amendment is not only dividing our party and our country," said Log Cabin political director Christopher Barron. "It's dividing our president and vice president."
Taking a stand
Others said it's important for the party to take a stand against abortion and to support the premise that marriage is between a man and a woman. They said the critics are out of step with today's GOP.
"I just think they're a very weak presence at this convention," said former presidential candidate Gary Bauer.
Some Republicans criticized the platform, which calls for "humane and legal immigration," for not cracking down on illegal immigration.
The platform "goes against everything the American people believe should happen with our immigration policy," said Rep. Tom Tancredo of Colorado, one of the most vocal congressional advocates of curbing immigration.