Two Iowans were among the 112 Republicans from around the country who’ve drafted the G-O-P’s national platform. Ben Barringer, of Northwood, spent last week in Cleveland as a member of the G-O-P’s national platform committee. “I’ve been told by multiple people they think it’s the most conservative platform in recent history,” Barringer says. The platform calls for “better negotiated trade deals that put America first.” Those are words presumptive nominee Donald Trump’s words uses. But Barringer says Trump’s campaign did not “strong arm” the platform-writing group.

Tamara Scott of Ankeny, the Republican National Committeewoman from Iowa, also served on the national platform committee. “I think it’s a very positive, strong statement for America,” Scott says. The proposed document encourages teaching the Bible in public schools, to help develop “an educated citizenry.” It also calls for repealing a federal law that prevents churches from endorsing political candidates or engaging in political activities.

Scott is a lobbyist for The Family Leader, a Christian conservative group, and she credits Trump for championing that move earlier this year. “He’s taking steps that are stronger than many of what we called our ‘conservative’ candidates ever have because we’re at a time and a place where we have to. We now see the left is relentless,” Scott says. “It’s not just that they want to silence you. They want to remove you from the debate, period.” Scott and Barringer expect the platform to be ratified by convention delegates later today (Monday).

As for whether Republican candidates, including Trump, support all the items in the document, Barringer says there is no legal consequence for candidates who fail to do so. And He says it’s up to voters to hold the candidates accountable.  “I’d rather just call them whenever they do something that’s not in it,” Barringer says. “…If every one of my neighbors would do that, we wouldn’t have to worry about pledges.” Democrats have criticized the proposed G-O-P platform, arguing that by failing to embrace same-sex marriage and gay rights, the Republican Party is going backwards on social issues.

(Radio Iowa)