Conservative Republicans are determined to toe the party line on social issues at the 2016 Republican National Convention this summer, and insist that presumptive nominee Donald Trump’s platform is not necessarily the platform of the Republican Party.
In response to the pressure to embrace LBGT-friendly policies, members of the Republican National Committee are attempting to get conservative delegates on to the rules committee. Issues such as transgender laws, same-sex marriage, and abortion are a source of concern for conservatives, who fear that hardline language in the platform will be watered down. Instead, conservatives hope to add clarity to these issues.
Trump has expressed fluid opinions on these issues in the past, making three allowances for abortions to be performed, and suggesting that people should use whatever bathroom they feel the most comfortable using — though he has also mentioned that the bathroom laws are issues that should be left up to the states.
Because of Trump’s flexible and independent mindset, efforts are already underway to maintain power on the rules committee for the upcoming convention. Trump’s statements, implying a future flexibility on a few of the party’s positions, have given the GOP cause for concern.
Conservatives aren’t the only ones who are concerned. Corporate America is also worried about Trump’s policies regarding immigration, trade, and how those policies could influence the GOP platform.
Ben Key, the executive director of the RNC’s platform committee assured business leaders on Tuesday that Trump would not influence the party platform.
“[Key] said that just because it’s a potential nominee doesn’t mean those ideas are going to find their way into the platform,” a source who attended the meeting shared with The Hill. “He said the platform will be a decision that serves the whole party.”
As Trump aims to unite the Republican Party around him, he may be unable to afford changes to the language of the platform this summer, as such changes would be a source of contention for many conservatives.
