Grand Old Partisan appreciates the success of Republican administrations at improving the economy. November 30th 2018, President Donald Trump signed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, along with the Mexican President and the Canadian Prime Minister. The ceremony took place in Buenos... Read more →
November 30, 2022
November 29, 2022
Hamilton Gamble, the first Republican Governor of Missouri
Grand Old Partisan lauds Hamilton Gamble, born in Virginia, November 29th 1798. Age twenty, he relocated to St. Louis, first working as a court clerk, then appointed secretary of state. In 1846, he won a term in the state house.... Read more →
November 28, 2022
Abraham Jefferson Seay – "able and effective governor" of Oklahoma
Grand Old Partisan salutes Abraham Jefferson Seay, born November 28th 1832. Outbreak of civil war, the patriotic lawyer recruited the 32nd Missouri Volunteer Infantry. His regiment battled from Mississippi to North Carolina. Peace restored, Colonel Seay settled in Oklahoma. Named... Read more →
November 27, 2022
Dwight Griswold – "Politician, Banker & Publisher"
Grand Old Partisan salutes Dwight Griswold, born in Nebraska, November 27th 1893. After graduation from the state university, he started working at a bank. He was an artillery captain during WWI. Next came editing a newspaper. Griswold won terms in... Read more →
November 26, 2022
Charles Gillet, estimable Union Army Soldier and Republican Congressman
Grand Old Partisan salutes Charles Gillet, born in western New York, November 26th 1840. After college graduation, the young patriot enlisted in the state’s 86th Volunteer Infantry. His regiment fought at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. He was mustered out due to... Read more →
November 25, 2022
Abraham Lincoln meeting Harriet Beecher Stowe
Grand Old Partisan spotlights the meeting of Abraham Lincoln and a famous abolitionist, on November 25th 1862. Harriet Beecher Stowe was author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, the second best-selling book of the 19th century. "Mrs. Stowe, right glad to see... Read more →
November 24, 2022
Michael Hahn, the first Republican Governor of Louisiana
Grand Old Partisan reveres Michael Hahn, born in Germany, November 24th 1830. His family emigrated to New Orleans, and he graduated from what is now Tulane University. Hahn entered politics as a Democrat, but that would change with the Civil... Read more →
November 23, 2022
Republican Tax Cuts brought on the Roaring Twenties
Grand Old Partisan commemorates a monumental Republican economic achievement. President Warren Harding signed into law the Revenue Act of 1921, on November 23rd. Amid the post-WWI recession, Republicans had won a landslide victory in 1920. Page 156 of Back to... Read more →
November 22, 2022
Oscar Dunn, the first African-American Lieutenant Governor
"a man of character who sacrificed unselfishly for his people; respected by friend and foe alike" Grand Old Partisan honors Oscar Dunn, born into slavery at New Orleans. His stepfather apprenticed him to a plasterer and painting contractor. After trying... Read more →
November 21, 2022
the GOP’s 1991 Civil Rights Act
Grand Old Partisan appreciates the GOP's 1991 Civil Rights Act. President George H. Bush signed it on November 21st. Senator John Danforth, a Missouri Republican, had introduced the bill two months before. This law improved procedures for asserting federal protection... Read more →
November 20, 2022
Gustav Koerner, immigrant Co-Founder of the Illinois Republican Party
Grand Old Partisan salutes Gustav Koerner, born in Germany, November 20th 1809. Fleeing political turmoil, he escaped to the United States at age twenty-three. He studied at Transylvania University in Kentucky, there meeting Mary Todd. Several years later, he moved... Read more →
November 19, 2022
James Garfield, magnificent Republican Soldier and Congressman and President
"one of our noblest and best, the flower and fruit of all that is characteristic in American civilization" Grand Old Partisan salutes James Garfield, born in a log cabin near Akron, November 19th 1831. He started out as a professor... Read more →
November 18, 2022
a Republican invented Time Zones
Grand Old Partisan commemorates the beginning of time zones in the United States. Until 1883 each locality kept its own time, but train travel made this increasingly problematic. November 18th, an observatory at the University of Pittsburgh telegraphed when it... Read more →
November 17, 2022
Volney Dorsey, from recovering Democrat to early Chairman of the Ohio GOP
Grand Old Partisan honors Volney Dorsey, born November 17th 1812. He attended what is now the University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center. His articles in medical journals were popular. The civic-minded doctor was delegate at the 1856 Democratic National Convention... Read more →
November 16, 2022
Robert Brokenburr, the first African-American Indiana State Senator
Grand Old Partisan honors Robert Brokenburr, born November 16th 1886. His father had been a slave. Relocating to Indianapolis followed graduation from Howard University Law School. He was attorney for a cosmetics company owned by an African-American woman. Brokenburr litigated... 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.”