The Republican National Committee selected a trio of conservative stalwarts to head up its convention platform committee Tuesday in a move that appears designed to assuage concerns among the far right with presumptive nominee Donald Trump.
Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus announced that Sen. John Barrasso, a Wyoming Republican and member of the Senate Republican leadership, would chair the panel writing the party platform and that Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin and Rep. Virginia Foxx of North Carolina would co-chair the group.
“I know they will bring their good judgment and a principled vision for our Party and our country into this role. Writing the platform is a critical task, and as we enter one of the most important elections of our lifetime, our party is eager to lead an American resurgence by standing on our commitment to life, individual liberty, a strong national defense, and an economy that works for all Americans,” Priebus said in a statement.
The announcement comes as conservatives within the party have been organizing to prevent against any changes from more moderate factions within the party and amid wide-ranging concerns about whether Trump would look to make any changes.
Moderate and business-oriented Republicans, led by donor Paul Singer, have long been organizing to change platform language — and the party’s image — regarding LGBT issues. But social conservatives Jim Bopp, Bruce Ash and Solomon Yue formed a counter-effort to ensure the party does not recognize same-sex marriage in its platform.
The wild card has become what changes, if any, Trump would seek in the document that officially states where Republicans stand on almost every major issue.
However, in selecting a trio of staunch social conservatives and top-ranking members in the House and Senate, the RNC appears to be making good on a promise Trump made in private meetings that he would not engage in a platform fight with social conservatives.