Beck Praises GOP, Romney for Adopting Nearly All of FreedomWorks 12 Platforms

The Republican Party has come under fire in recent years for what many believe is the GOP's break from truly conservative principles. In turn, presidential contender Mitt Romney has also drawn ire from a contingent of conservatives for what they consider his moderate, and at times, inconsistent stance on various policies and platforms. But all of that may be changing. Thus far, the GOP has adopted "11.5" of FreedomWorks' 12 conservative platforms, revealing to Glenn Beck that the small-government, pro-liberty movement is indeed powerful and can effect change.

On Tuesday FreedomWorks announced that the Republican Platform Committee has adopted "11.5 of the 12 proposals outlined in the 'Freedom Platform,'" the grassroots organization released earlier this month.

“FreedomWorks applauds the GOP for demonstrating a commitment to conservative philosophy, accountability, and the kind of bold reforms our country needs,” said FreedomWorks President Matt Kibbe in an official press release. “The 2012 GOP platform isn’t perfect, but the inclusion of 95 percent of the Freedom Platform is sure to create enthusiasm among the limited government conservative base come November.”

According to the official press release, the only element of the Freedom Platform not adopted was the proposal to “Eliminate the Department of Education.” FreedomWorks Vice President Dean Clancy explained:

“We did not secure approval for ‘Eliminate the Department of Education’ – which, to be honest, was always the plank we regarded as most difficult to achieve. But the document’s education section does contain good language on the need for local control and a very strong endorsement of school choice, including vouchers. So we rate this section as a partial victory.”

All in all, the GOP seems to be adopting a clear mandate for 2012. What's more, between choosing Paul Ryan to run for vice president and rumors that Romney would tap Jay Sekulow to become a Supreme Court Justice, Beck believes the Republican nominee is making the right choices and proving he seeks to be true to the small-government, fiscally-responsible tenets of conservatism.

For those unfamiliar, Sekulow, one of the "25 most influential Evangelicals in America," according to TIME Magazine, is a leading lawyer in the arena of religious freedom and has been a champion of expanding liberties and civil rights. TIME even considers the formidable attorney "a powerful counterweight to the ACLU." Beck noted that while Sekulow may not be Romney's ultimate choice should he be elected, the nod indicates the direction in which he is leaning, as well as who might be advising him.

Beck observed that the GOP establishment is indeed changing and that the priority must be on seeing Romney and Ryan elected. He ceded that conservatives will still be tough and hold the two men accountable should they falter, but that they deserve the chance to prove themselves.

For reference, FreedomWorks “12 for 12” platforms are as follows:

1)      Repeal Obamacare; Pursue Patient-Centered Care

2)      Stop the Tax Hikes

3)      Reverse Obama’s Spending Increases

4)      Scrap the Code; Replace It with a Flat Tax

5)      Pass a Balanced Budget Amendment

6)      Reject Cap and Trade

7)      Rein in the EPA

8)      Unleash America’s Vast Energy Potential

9)      Eliminate the Department of Education

10)   Reduce the Bloated Federal Workforce

11)   Curtail Excessive Federal Regulation

12)   Audit the Fed

Watch the segment Below as Beck discusses a new era for the GOP: