The Center for Military Readiness (CMR) is an independent, non-partisan public policy organization that specializes in military personnel issues. The following are excerpts from the National Platforms of the Republican and Democratic Parties, as adopted in the years 2004 and 2000.
2004
Republican National Platform
Honoring and Supporting Our Armed Forces
“…We affirm traditional military culture, and we affirm that homosexuality is incompatible with military service. The Republican Party created the all-volunteer force and opposes reinstitution of the draft, whether directly or through compulsory national service.
“…We support the advancement of women in the military, support their exemption from ground combat units, and support the implementation of the recommendations of the Kassebaum [-Baker] Commission, which unanimously recommended that co-ed basic training be ended. We support sound priorities in the making of personnel policies, and candid analysis of the consequences of unprecedented social changes in the military…”
Democratic National Platform
Strengthening Our Military
The Democratic Platform of 2004 described the American military as “the best in the world,” and listed several recommendations to make it better. The platform did not discuss military personnel issues such as homosexuals in the military or women in combat.
2000
Republican National Platform
A Military for the Twenty-First Century
“…We believe the military must no longer be the object of social experiments. We affirm traditional military culture. We affirm that homosexuality is incompatible with military service.
“…The Republican Party created the all-volunteer force and opposes reinstitution of the draft, whether directly or through compulsory national service. We support the advancement of women in the military, support their exemption from ground combat units, and call for implementation of the recommendations of the Kassebaum [-Baker] Commission, which unanimously recommended that co-ed basic training be ended. We support restoration of sound priorities in the making of personnel policies, and candid analysis of the consequences of unprecedented social changes in the military....”
Democratic National Platform
Peace
During his campaign then-Vice President Al Gore stated his intention to repeal the 1993 law regarding homosexual conduct, and to appoint members of the Joint Chiefs who would share his views, but with the exception of an endorsement or the Convention to Eliminate All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), there were no statements on such issues in the 2000 Democratic National Platform.
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