Obama the Destroyer

Obama speech

After 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 08, 2021

Delafield Smith, faithful Republican who Prosecuted a Slave Trader

Grand Old Partisan honors Delafield Smith, born May 8th 1826. Abraham Lincoln named him U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. He is best remembered for prosecuting a slave trader. He convinced the President not to pardon him,... Read more →

Posted at 08:38 AM | | Comments (0)

May 07, 2021

John Mott – “Iron Duke” of the North Carolina Republican Party

Grand Old Partisan honors John Mott, born near Raleigh, May 7th 1834. He studied medicine in Philadelphia, then returned home to set up a practice. During the Civil War, he opposed the Confederacy, being steadfast in zeal for the Union.... Read more →

Posted at 07:40 AM | | Comments (0)

May 06, 2021

Dwight Eisenhower dedicated a Synagogue in Washington, DC

Grand Old Partisan appreciates Republican reverence for religion. May 6th 1955, Dwight Eisenhower addressed the Washington Hebrew Congregation, in the nation’s capital. The occasion was dedication of a new 2200-seat synagogue. said the President: "God gave rights to you and... Read more →

Posted at 08:23 AM | | Comments (0)

May 05, 2021

William Parker, the first U.S. Representative for South Dakota

"In the performance of duty none can stand higher." Grand Old Partisan salutes William Parker, born in New Hampshire, May 5th 1847. Age fourteen, he enlisted in the Union army. Battlefield courage merited promotion to lieutenant. Peace restored, he studied... Read more →

Posted at 07:53 AM | | Comments (0)

May 04, 2021

"He said he was going to vote Republican, and they shot and killed him on the spot"

Grand Old Partisan denounces Democrat devilry. In a fascinating C-SPAN program recorded March 4th 2011, historian Michael Holt discussed his book, By One Vote: The Disputed Presidential Election of 1876. As he explained, the Republican presidential nominee, Rutherford Hayes, really... Read more →

Posted at 08:39 AM | | Comments (0)

May 03, 2021

Rufus Spalding, anti-slavery Co-Founder of the Ohio GOP and Architect of Reconstruction

Grand Old Partisan honors Rufus Spalding, born on Martha's Vineyard, May 3rd 1798. He studied law after graduating from Yale. He served two terms in the state house, making fiscal prudence his top priority. The legislature elected him a supreme... Read more →

Posted at 08:02 AM | | Comments (0)

May 02, 2021

Nannie Helen Burroughs, crusading African-American Republican Educator

Grand Old Partisan praises Nannie Helen Burroughs, born to former slaves near Charlottesville, May 2nd 1879. Age six, she settled in Washington, DC. Age twenty-one, an inspiring speech at a national baptist convention brought her to prominence. In 1909, she... Read more →

Posted at 07:51 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.