THE REPUBLICAN PARTY
aka the Grand Old Party or GOP

 

PARTY OVERVIEW

The Republican Party is the more conservative of the two major parties. They have traditionally favored states' rights and a more limited role of government in economic and social issues.

 

It was formed in 1854 by a group of abolitionist Democrats and Whigs who were strongly opposed to the spread of slavery. They believed they were the true descendents of Thomas Jefferson's Democratic Republican party (nevermind that it had already evolved into the Democratic party, and never mind that Jefferson himself kept slaves) and so they called themselves Republicans. The party was a success from the beginning and by 1858 they had control of the House of Representatives. Four years later the United States would have its first Republican president - Abraham Lincoln.

Other important Republican politicians of the past have included Teddy Roosevelt and Dwight D. "Ike" Eisenhower.

 

OFFICIAL PLATFORM STATEMENT
FROM THE OFFICIAL WEB PAGE

While the Republican Party has a nicely designed Website, they failed to include any sort of clearly-stated party platform. Lots of peripheral material, but it would take us hours to wade through it and come up with our interpretation of their platform. Besides, it would be presumptuous of us to attempt to explain that which they seem unwilling or unable to define, so until they get a clue, we can't enlighten you. Perhaps someone could email them a clue or two. It's not our job, and besides - we don't like to meddle in politics.