in general, you expect the platform of a political party to

Sagot :

Guide the political issues of the party's candidate 
In theory the answer is guide the political issues of the party's candidate. 

But unfortunately it never happens that way. The way it happens is a combination of 
leading to a national convention & somewhat determining the outcome of a general election.

They do generate a lot of hope with the platform and then they ultimately stray to whatever their base wants.

Hope this helps.