Missourians Play Role In Creating Democratic Party Platform

Three Missouri delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Boston had input into shaping the party platform to be adopted this week. Former State Representative Phil Smith of Louisiana calls the platform centrist, though it does stick with a strong abortion rights plank and wants the federal government to let the states decide the same-sex marriage issue. Smith says even with those elements, he feels confident conservative Missouri Democrats can stand on it. The platform reflects the times…tilting heavily toward military matters. It calls on the U.S. to expand the coalition in Iraq. It wants increased intelligence gathering, greater ground force strength and the National Guard assigned to protect the homefront.