ABSTRACT
Political parties are popularly regarded as vehicles for providing the electorate with alternative candidates and alternative policies from which to make a choice. Three committees were established by the Republican Party between 1920 and 1944 to consider policies and programs before the adoption of platforms at the national conventions. At the time each committee was created, the Republican Party was the minority party, although in 1920 the Republicans had control of Congress. The purpose of the pre-convention studies was to do the basic investigation, research and analysis work and provide the Convention with factual reports and recommendations on policy to be used in drafting the Party platform. The work of the national committees is very largely publicity and public relations, and, however much an exercise like the Percy Committee may or may not contribute to a clarification of party policy, it may be justified by the kinds and amounts of media attention it creates for the party.
