Obama the Destroyer

Obama speechAfter the polls closed on election night 2008, I was answering the phone at the McCain/Palin national campaign office. A woman called to say she was “now glad to have a terminal disease because [she] won't live to see how Obama will destroy this great country.” The pain and rage and sorrow in her voice came through loud and clear.

Ma'am, whoever and wherever you are, I salute you.

Book coverMichael Zak, author of Back to Basics for the Republican Party, also wrote the often-copied, never-cited 2005 Republican Freedom Calendar. Each day, his Grand Old Partisan blog celebrates more than sixteen decades of Republican heritage. And, see Speech Raves for audience feedback from his presentations in thirty-one states so far.

Posted at 11:27 AM | | Comments (10)

May 26, 2019

honoring George Fogg, New Hampshire's first Republican National Committeeman

Grand Old Partisan honors George Fogg, born this day of 1813. He studied at Dartmouth College and Harvard Law School. His career began working at an iron foundry, then shifted to publishing a newspaper. He won a state house term... Read more →

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May 25, 2019

lauding Ralph Waldo Emerson, renowned Republican Essayist and Poet

Grand Old Partisan lauds Ralph Waldo Emerson, born in Boston this day of 1803. He attended Harvard College and Harvard Divinity School. An aversion to slavery began while visiting South Carolina and Florida. Emerson's writings and lectures were popular. Along... Read more →

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May 24, 2019

Republicans Created the U.S. Foreign Service

Grand Old Partisan lauds Republicans for creating the Foreign Service. Today in 1924, President Calvin Coolidge signed an "Act for the reorganization and improvement of the Foreign Service of the United States." This law had been written by Republican Congressman... Read more →

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May 23, 2019

"Lincoln As He Is"

Grand Old Partisan spotlights a splendid endorsement of the second Republican presidential nominee. This day of 1860, a Chicago newspaper published Lincoln As He Is: "If Mr. LINCOLN is elected President he will...take to the Presidential Chair just the qualities... Read more →

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May 22, 2019

a Republican President first recognized Korean Independence

Grand Old Partisan commemorates the beginning of US-Korean diplomatic relations. This day of 1882, presidential envoy Robert Shufelt signed a treaty of friendship and commerce with Korean government officials. The ceremony took place at Incheon. Rejecting claims by China and... Read more →

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May 21, 2019

saluting Newton Curtis, ferocious Union Army hero and Republican congressman

Grand Old Partisan salutes Newton Curtis, born in upstate New York this day of 1835. He farmed and taught school and at age twenty-five ran unsuccessfully for the state legislature. Though a Democrat at the time, he considered himself a... Read more →

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May 20, 2019

Republicans established the nation's civil aviation industry

an Act to encourage and regulate the use of aircraft in commerce, and for other purposes Grand Old Partisan appreciates Republican support for American civil aviation. Seeking to advance the industry by improving safety, Calvin Coolidge set up an Aircraft... Read more →

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May 19, 2019

saluting Robert Van Horn, heroic Kansas City Republican Congressman

Grand Old Partisan salutes Robert Van Horn, born near Pittsburgh this day of 1824. After apprenticeship to a printer, the ambitious young man worked on steamboats in various states. He settled at Kansas City, Missouri in 1855 and published a... Read more →

Posted at 02:14 AM | | Comments (0)

May 18, 2019

highlighting Benjamin Franklin Whittemore, the SCGOP's first Chairman

Grand Old Partisan highlights the career of Benjamin Franklin Whittemore, born in Massachusetts this day of 1824. He studied at Amherst College and became a Methodist Episcopal minister. During the Civil War, this patriot served as chaplain for two regiments.... Read more →

Posted at 11:46 AM | | Comments (0)

May 17, 2019

that Alexander Hamilton statue by the White House

Grand Old Partisan shares Republican respect for the best Treasury Secretary Ever. This day of 1923, Warren Harding dedicated a bronze statue of Alexander Hamilton. It stands at the Treasury Department Building, next to the White House. In his remarks,... Read more →

Posted at 10:20 AM | | Comments (0)

May 16, 2019

honoring Levi Morton, eminent Republican Congressman and Ambassador and Vice President and Governor

Grand Old Partisan honors Levi Morton, born in Vermont this day of 1824. After training as a business clerk, the young man relocated to Manhattan and became a successful investment banker. In 1878, he was elected to the U.S. House... Read more →

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May 15, 2019

saluting Andrew Burke, from Drummer Boy to Republican Governor

"The rags-to-riches story about how a street orphan from New York rose to become a state governor was printed in newspapers across the United States." Grand Old Partisan salutes Andrew Burke, born in New York City this day of 1850.... Read more →

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May 14, 2019

Jackie Robinson and Dwight Eisenhower

Grand Old Partisan appreciates Republican commitment to religious concord. This day of 1957, Jackie Robinson met with President Dwight Eisenhower at an awards ceremony. They were being honored by the B'nai B'rith. Earlier that day, this Jewish fraternal organization –... Read more →

Posted at 11:07 AM | | Comments (0)

May 13, 2019

saluting Jonathan Updegraff, patriotic Doctor and Ohio Republican Congressman

"active in the organization of the Republican Party, and was its firm and faithful adherent through all his political life" Grand Old Partisan salutes Jonathan Updegraff, born in Ohio this day of 1822. He studied medicine at the University of... Read more →

Posted at 10:19 AM | | Comments (0)

May 12, 2019

saluting Joshua Newbold, patriotic Republican Iowa Governor

"He has always affiliated with the Republican Party, and holds to its great cardinal doctrines." Grand Old Partisan salutes Joshua Newbold, born in Pennsylvania this day of 1830. Age twenty-three, he relocated to Iowa, farming and working at his father's... Read more →

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May 11, 2019

saluting Byron Cutcheon, patriotic Michigan Republican Congressman

Grand Old Partisan salutes Byron Cutcheon, born in New Hampshire this day of 1836. He worked in a cotton mill as a child, then attended school and became a teacher. The studious youth graduated from the University of Michigan. Outbreak... Read more →

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May 10, 2019

saluting Montgomery Blair, from Dred Scott's Attorney to Abraham Lincoln's Postmaster General

Grand Old Partisan salutes Montgomery Blair, born in Kentucky this day of 1813. He graduated from West Point and served during the Seminole War. He then studied law. Democrat President Franklin Pierce named him a solicitor for the U.S. Court... Read more →

Posted at 09:19 AM | | Comments (0)

May 09, 2019

saluting Willard Hall, the first Republican Lieutenant Governor of Missouri

Grand Old Partisan salutes Willard Hall, born at Harper's Ferry this day of 1820. He studied law after graduating from Yale. While serving in the 1st Missouri Cavalry during the Mexican War, this young Democrat won the first of three... Read more →

Posted at 12:05 AM | | Comments (0)

May 08, 2019

highlighting Every Known Photograph of Abraham Lincoln‏

Grand Old Partisan highlights every photograph of the Great Emancipator: YouTube video "so many different looks about him yet we can all recognize any one of them to be Abraham Lincoln" Here is a Video Version of this article on... Read more →

Posted at 10:37 AM | | Comments (0)

May 07, 2019

honoring James Thorington, Iowa's first Republican Congressman

"Our state never sent a Representative to Congress who accomplished so much in a single term as this first Republican member from Iowa." Grand Old Partisan honors James Thorington, born in North Carolina this day of 1816. He attended military... Read more →

Posted at 12:09 AM | | Comments (0)

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each day, a video celebrating Republican heroes and heroics
My father, of blessed memory, wrote a book now available on Kindle: Soldier Boy: a Memoir of Life and Death and Survival during WWII

Back to Basics for the Republican Party

  • "We need to promote Back to Basics for the Republican Party to every single proud Republican!!!!"
  • "Every precinct committeeman, every candidate and every teacher with a Republican affiliation should read this book and pass it on to another."
  • "Michael Zak takes a novel approach to the culture wars by boldly boasting the historical record of the Republican Party. Rather then sheepishly bow to the Democrat's ongoing myths (and frequently, outright lies) about the GOP, he brings the history and heroes of the Republican Party into the fray."
  • “Why is it that we Republicans are so easily outmaneuvered by Democrats?
    Why do Republicans so readily fight among themselves?
    Why is it so difficult for Republicans to advance their policy agenda?
    Here's why."
    Back to Basics for the Republican Party
  • “The past is the cause of the present, and the present will be the cause of the future. All these are links in the endless chain stretching from the finite to the infinite.”
    Abraham Lincoln
  • “The Founding Fathers knew a government can't control the economy without controlling people. And they knew when a government sets out to do that, it must use force and coercion to achieve its purpose. So we have come to a time for choosing.”
    Ronald Reagan

Speech Raves

  • "Your words at the Lincoln Day dinner were truly inspiring. Thank you so much for your dedicated work and contributions to our Party."
  • "Your book is outstanding, and it's nice to have the information come alive during your presentation. You are at once informative and motivating. We've got to get back to basics -- as you say."
  • "Thank you for speaking at the luncheon. I've already received many favorable comments. You're absolutely right that the Republican leadership should know our party's history."
  • "Thanks for all that you do for the Republican Party and our Nation."
  • “Your speech was great and just what some of us depressed Republicans needed. The GOP has taken its eye off of the major issue: freedom v. socialism. You spoke to the core of that issue.”
  • “Thank you so much for speaking at the state convention. We received wonderful feedback from everyone in attendance. Everyone was impressed with the depth and breadth of your knowledge, as well as your clear speaking style and sense of humor. You made an outstanding presentation, and we are deeply grateful to you for your efforts.”
  • “You have a great vision and hope for the Party, and I think you are embarking on important work.”
  • “Thank you so much for speaking at our event. You are offering a tremendous service not only to Republicans, but also to the United States and the world.”
  • Click here for more audience feedback.
grand_old_partisan@hotmail.com
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About

grand_old_partisan@hotmail.com

I am offering the solution to a problem most Republicans don't know they have -- that they can be outmaneuvered and thrown on the defensive endlessly, on nearly any issue, because they accept as true Democrat lies about the Republican Party. To correct that misperception and to help the Republican Party get 'back to basics' is why I'm a man on a mission.

A few years ago, after one of my speeches, a man told me "Do you know what your problem is? You're too far ahead of your time!" My efforts to show Republicans how they would benefit from celebrating the heritage of our Grand Old Party have been arduous, but if this were easy someone else would have already done it.

Among my speech topics are Reconciling the Tea Party and the GOP; Barack Obama, the Worst President Ever; Socialism, the new Slavery; Appreciating the Heritage of our Grand Old Party; Returning to the Founding Principles of the United States; The Women’s Rights Achievements of our Grand Old Party; Abraham Lincoln, Republican; Frederick Douglass, Republican; Martin Luther King and the Republican Civil Rights Legacy.

event photos

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    Michael Zak is a popular speaker to conservative organizations around the nation -- thirty states so far. His message is that Republicans would benefit tremendously from appreciating the heritage of our Grand Old Party.

Book Reviews

  • "Your book is a national treasure.
    I'm always recommending it to people."
  • "Thank you, Michael!!! Every person who calls himself a Republican, and every person who just wants to know the truth. should know your book!!!"
  • "If you're a Republican and love history, this book by my friend Michael Zak is a must read. And if you happen to be looking for a Lincoln/Reagan Day dinner speaker, I highly recommend him."
  • great information on our rich heritage
    "Get a copy of Michael Zak's book, Back to Basics for the Republican Party"
  • "I recommend Back to Basics for the Republican Party to everyone who wants to be educated on the true history of the GOP and America!!!!
  • Phenomenal history
    Anyone who liked the Lincoln movie will love this book. This book is perhaps the best kept secret in all political and history books in America. It is something every politico should read. It puts things into historical perspective like few other books I've read. It challenges conventional through thorough documented history. This is a must read for any student of American history and political science. One regret is that I read the book more than a decade after it was published. It truly is something you feel you missed out on. It is also a book that leaves you wanting to learn more about certain individuals such as Thaddeus Stevens. It's an incredible body of work."
  • "Thank you for writing your book. I am two chapters into it, and find it fascinating and motivating. This may be a very significant contribution to the rise of the GOP in the coming years."
  • "I am a believer in pro-free market and pro-constitutional rights who recently purchased your book Back to Basics for the Republican Party and have not been able to put it down. It is simply amazing you composed a book in 2003 that hits home on the most serious of topics we face today. I completely agree that we must educate and focus on the original plan as laid out by the founders of our party if we are ever to move forward in a positive direction."
  • Praise from Alaska
    "I purchased your book at our Juneau, Alaska Republican Women's Luncheon last month principally because the title intrigued me. I just finished it, reading the last chapter three times. I wanted to burn the wisdom presented into my brain. Thank you again for all your hard work to research and write your book. Thank you for all you are doing to educate Americans on the incredible truth of the founding of our great country.""Thank you for doing all the research to write this book. As a History/American Studies major, I THOUGHT I knew the difference between Republicans and Democrats, the roles of Lincoln and Stevens and Sumner and Reagan, and the history of our country from the revolutionary war through the civil war. Boy, was I soooo wrong."
  • Read it and MEMORIZE it!
    "My copy is dog-eared with notes and underlined parts.   “Back to Basics for the Republican Party has been tremendously helpful setting mis-educated Democrats straight on history!"
  • It's a fantatic buy!
    “Back to Basics for the Republican Party is very informative and gives you an insight into the history of the party from the early days to the modern day presidencies of Ronald Reagan and George Bush Sr. What the author has done is provide a balanced view, giving the reader a fascinating 150-year journey of the Republicans. This book is a REAL political page turner which will open minds to a wealth of knowledge and history which most are not even aware of.
  • “Back to Basics for the Republican Party is the most significant contribution to the Republican Party in the last twenty years apart from Ronald Reagan.”
  • “This is the most amazing book about politics that I have ever read. The Overview should be required reading for anyone with even a minor interest in government. The remainder is an enthralling history lesson that I will never forget. For years, we have all been misled about the true nature of the GOP. This is the real deal! Read it and be proud!”
  • “Back to Basics for the Republican Party is more important to our party now than ever before.”
  • "one of the best books I ever read"
  • “Your book, Back to Basics for the Republican Party, is most timely during this 2010 pre-election period. It is a message that needs to be emphasized to all grassroots activists. From the precinct, county, district and national levels your respected views need to be heard and read on how to take back our country.”
  • from the first page: “Democrats control most of the media, but they also write most of the history books, thereby controlling what even Republican activists think they know about our Party's glorious heritage.”
  • Click here for more book reviews.