Grand Old Partisan salutes William Quinn, born in Rochester, July 13th 1919. He left Harvard Law School to enlist as an intelligence officer in the Pacific during WWII. Peace restored, he finished his degree then relocated to Hawaii. After a... Read more →
July 13, 2025
July 12, 2025
General Eisenhower resigns from the Army
Grand Old Partisan spotlights Dwight Eisenhower’s resignation from the military. July 12th 1952, he sent a telegram to the Secretary of the Army, followed by a formal letter. The acclaimed general said it was done "with a very deep sense... Read more →
July 11, 2025
Solomon Hoge – Soldier, Congressman, Banker
Grand Old Partisan salutes Solomon Hoge, born July 11th 1836. He studied at the Cincinnati Law School. During the Civil War, this young Republican served as captain with the 82nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry. His regiment fought at Gettysburg, then battled... Read more →
July 10, 2025
Hazel Abel, first woman elected U.S. Senator from Nebraska
Grand Old Partisan lauds Hazel Abel, born July 10th 1888. Graduating from University of Nebraska at Lincoln, she rose from teacher to high school principal. Later endeavors included treasurer of a construction company. After attending many state GOP conventions, the... Read more →
July 09, 2025
Ezra Booth Taylor – James Garfield’s replacement in Congress
Grand Old Partisan salutes Ezra Booth Taylor, born July 9th 1823. His career began as county prosecutor. During the Civil War, he served with the 171st Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Union restored, Taylor was a state judge. December 1880, this venerable... Read more →
July 08, 2025
Nelson Rockefeller, quintessential Rockefeller Republican
Grand Old Partisan honors Nelson Rockefeller, born July 8th 1908. Petroleum tycoon John Rockefeller was his grandfather. After studying economics at Dartmouth College, he worked for Chase National Bank and Rockefeller Center. Five years with Standard Oil in Venezuela made... Read more →
July 07, 2025
the Annexation of Hawaii
Grand Old Partisan appreciates Hawaii becoming part of the United States. July 7th 1898, President William McKinley signed a joint resolution for the annexation of Hawaii. It had been passed by the GOP-controlled 55th Congress. "Whereas, the Government of the... Read more →
July 06, 2025
the first-ever Republican State Convention
Grand Old Partisan commemorates the Republican Party's first-ever state convention. In 1854, the Democrat-controlled Congress was moving toward passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, to expand slavery into the western territories, and the Democrat President said he would sign it into... Read more →
July 05, 2025
Thomas Bayne, from Slavery to Republican Activist
Grand Old Partisan honors Thomas Bayne, born into slavery on a North Carolina farm. Age twenty-one, he was sold to a dentist and worked as his assistant. Being revealed as affiliated with the Underground Railroad led to his escape northward.... Read more →
July 04, 2025
"the Free State of Winston"
Grand Old Partisan spotlights the Free State of Winston. During the Civil War, residents of mountainous areas in the South tended to oppose secession. They held few slaves and saw no reason to fight for the Confederate aristocracy. Winston County,... Read more →
July 03, 2025
the Cook County Juvenile Court system, thanks to the GOP
Grand Old Partisan spotlights the Illinois Juvenile Court Act. April 1899, it was enacted by the GOP-controlled legislature and Republican governor. In a national first, those under sixteen were removed from the adult criminal justice system. Rehabilitation, not punishment, was... Read more →
July 02, 2025
the Republican Party established Statuary Hall
Grand Old Partisan congratulates the Republican Party for establishing Statuary Hall. Expansion of the U.S. Capitol Building in 1857 had left vacant the old chamber for the House of Representatives. Suggestions for this space included offices and an art gallery.... Read more →
July 01, 2025
Carman Newcomb – Soldier, Congressman, Marshal
Grand Old Partisan salutes Carman Newcomb, born July 1st 1830. Youth carried him from Pennsylvania to Louisiana to Kentucky to Iowa. He studied law and was a judge. Outbreak of civil war, Newcomb enlisted as captain with the state’s 3rd... Read more →
June 30, 2025
George Washington Martin
Grand Old Partisan honors George Washington Martin, born June 30th 1841. Settling in Kansas, he published a newspaper and was elected small-town mayor. This earnest Republican became state representative. His county had originally been named by Democrats for Jefferson Davis,... Read more →
June 29, 2025
the Dwight Eisenhower Federal Highway System
Grand Old Partisan appreciates the nation's highways. June 29th 1956, President Dwight Eisenhower signed into law the Federal-Aid Highway Act. He did so from Walter Reed Hospital, while recovering from surgery. Eisenhower had learned the value of good transportation while... Read more →
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Substack link for Grand Old Partisan
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.”
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Each day, my Grand Old Partisan blog celebrates more than sixteen decades of Republican heroes and heroics.
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.”