MOCK CONVENTION PLATFORM

A party platform is a list of actions a political party or candidate for public office supports in order to appeal to their general electorate.  The list normally states the party's or candidates support for or opposition to socially relevant and often controversial issues.  

One aspect of Mock Convention entails a platform committee creating a platform and presenting it to the delegates during the convention.  The platform is then open to amendments and debate occurs. Click below for the 2012 platform.  

PLATFORM HEARINGS

Mock Convention held three platform hearings over the course of October and November, each focusing on a prevalent issue that the Republican candidates are facing in the current Presidential primary.  One hearing focused on domestic/environmental issues, another focused on economic issues and the final focused on international relationships.

"Polar Bears, Brown Bats, and a Prius! OH MY!"

The first platform hearing began with presentation on the environmental and economic effects of climate change by expert panelists and OWU Professors Andrew Meyer, Economics and Laurel Anderson, Botany/Microbiology.  After the presentations students had a chance to ask questions of the Professors.

"Dude Where's My Job? Tackling the United States' Troublesome Unemployment Rate"

The second of three hearings was held on November 3rd. 

This hearing was focused on economic issues and featured expert panelists and OWU Professors Jan Smith, Sociology/Anthropology and Don Tecklenburg, Accounting.

During the hearing, members of the Mock Convention executive committee were conducting a "penny vote" to find out who the Ohio Wesleyan student's favorite front runner was.  To vote, one simply had to place a penny in the jar representing thier favorite candidate and they would get a free cookie in return. 

"Frenemies: The Complications of the United States and the Middle East Relationship"

The third and final platform hearing was held on November 16th.  It focused on international issues in the upcoming election.  The discussion was led by expert panelists and OWU Professors James Franklin, Politics and Government and Sean Kay, International Studies.