Question

_______________ are long, detailed statements of the party's beliefs and goals that are written at the national conventions.

Answer 1

The answer to the first one is: party platform. It's a list of values and ideas supported by the party.

The answer to the second one is: select the minority leader. This would go against the idea behind the minority party: which is to check the actions of the majority party and criticize them -  it would mean that too much power is in the hands of the majority party.