Grand Old Partisan salutes Buren Sherman, born in upstate New York, May 28th 1836. After three years apprenticed to a watchmaker, he moved to frontier Iowa at age nineteen and joined the state Republican Party at its formation. While working... Read more →
May 28, 2022
May 27, 2022
Democrat Attempts to Restore Slavery were Defeated by the Republican Party
Grand Old Partisan commends the Republican Party for defeating Democrat attempts to re-impose slavery decades after Emancipation. Thousands of African-Americans were held at camps, often being worked to death. They were chained and whipped, and any escapee was hunted down... Read more →
May 26, 2022
Charles Anderson, the first southern state legislator after Reconstruction
Grand Old Partisan honors Charles Anderson, born in Louisville, May 26th 1907. For many years he was president of his city’s NAACP chapter. The staunch Republican became the 20th century's first African-American state legislator in the South. Anderson attended Kentucky... Read more →
May 25, 2022
Democrat Corruption has turned Capitol Hill into Tammany Hill
Grand Old Partisan spotlights Tammany Hall, now a metaphor for Democrat corruption. At first, it was a real place, a building, in fact, the headquarters of the New York City Democratic Party. During the 19th century and early 20th centuries,... Read more →
May 24, 2022
Elmer Ellsworth, first officer killed in the Civil War
Grand Old Partisan salutes Elmer Ellsworth, first officer killed during the Civil War. In 1854, the ambitious youth relocated from New York to Illinois. Soon, a Republican Governor named him commander of a militia drill team. Ellsworth apprenticed at Abraham... Read more →
May 23, 2022
Mabel Walker Willebrandt, highest-ranking woman in the federal government a century ago
Grand Old Partisan honors Mabel Walker Willebrandt, born May 23rd 1889. Her career began as school teacher and principal. After graduating from University of Southern California Law School, she became the first female public defender in Los Angeles. Republican Senator... Read more →
May 22, 2022
William Haile, the first Republican elected Governor of New Hampshire
Grand Old Partisan lauds William Haile, born May 22nd 1807. The savvy entrepreneur started out in merchandising, then built a clothing factory. He won several terms in both houses of the legislature, rising to be senate president. Opposition to slavery... Read more →
May 21, 2022
Henry Cummings, patriotic Colonel and Republican Congressman
Grand Old Partisan salutes Henry Cummings, born May 21st 1831. Age twenty-five, he was elected county prosecutor, near Des Moines. During the Civil War, this patriot commanded the 39th Iowa Infantry. His regiment battled through Georgia and the Carolinas. Union... Read more →
May 20, 2022
the first African-American delegates at a political party National Convention
Grand Old Partisan marks the debut of African-American politicians on the national stage. James Harris, a former slave, was a state legislator who co-founded the North Carolina GOP. Pinckney Pinchback later became Governor of Louisiana. They were delegates at the... Read more →
May 19, 2022
Charles Reemelin, immigrant Republican Statesman
Grand Old Partisan honors Charles Reemelin, born May 19th 1814. Age eighteen, he immigrated from Germany. Following decade, the civic-minded merchant served a term in the Ohio legislature. He helped write a new state constitution. Opposition to slavery led Reemelin... Read more →
May 18, 2022
In Hoc Signo Vinces
Grand Old Partisan salutes the 54th Massachusetts Infantry. Its soldiers were Blacks who volunteered to fight against the Confederacy. In a ceremony, May 18th 1863, a Black woman presented the men their regimental flag. Featured were a cross and the... Read more →
May 17, 2022
Joel Springarn, civil right pioneer
Grand Old Partisan salutes Joel Springarn, born in New York City, May 17th 1875. He studied literature at Columbia and became a professor. In 1908, the Republican Party nominated him for Congress. After serving as a colonel during WWI, he... Read more →
May 16, 2022
Republicans Reconstituted the Tennessee Supreme Court
Grand Old Partisan highlights the GOP’s respect for the judiciary. May 16th 1865, the Republican Governor, William Brownlow, appointed the first of three justices to the supreme court. Alvin Hawkins was later joined by James Shackleford and Samuel Milligan. These... Read more →
May 15, 2022
Benjamin Franklin Manierre, patriotic Abraham Lincoln booster and public servant
Grand Old Partisan salutes Benjamin Franklin Manierre, born May 15th 1822. His profession was banker and insurance broker. This humanitarian co-founded the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA). He was on the committee that invited Abraham Lincoln to speak at the... Read more →
May 14, 2022
Donald Cameron, forceful Pennsylvania Republican statesman
Grand Old Partisan honors Donald Cameron, born May 14th 1833. His father was Secretary of War and ambassador to Russia during the Lincoln administration. His wartime service to the Union was managing a strategic railroad. Cameron acquired a reputation as... Read more →
My father, of blessed memory, wrote a book now available on Kindle:
Soldier Boy: a Memoir of Life and Death and Survival during WWII
e-mail to Michael Zak
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.”
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
- 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 historyAnyone 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.”