Grand Old Partisan salutes Elisha Dyer, born in Providence, November 29th 1839. He studied chemistry at Brown University and obtained a Ph.D. in Germany. His father was the first Republican Governor. Outbreak of civil war, Dyer served in the artillery.... Read more →
November 29, 2021
November 28, 2021
National Museum of the American Indian
Grand Old Partisan appreciates Republican reverence for our nation’s heritage. November 28th 1989, President George H. Bush signed legislation establishing the National Museum of the American Indian. Its purpose: "to give all Americans the opportunity to learn of the cultural... Read more →
November 27, 2021
Ralph Lowe, early Republican Governor of Iowa
"a man of detail, accurate and industrious; pure, upright and honest" Grand Old Partisan honors Ralph Lowe, born November 27th 1805. After practicing law in Alabama and Ohio, he moved to frontier Iowa in 1840. He served as delegate to... Read more →
November 26, 2021
Orange Ferriss, conscientious Republican Statesman of New York
"exemplary in private life, upright and honorable in his business and social relations, revered and esteemed by all who knew him, a strong partisan, and yet courteous to those who opposed him, strong minded, possessed of sound practical common sense,... Read more →
November 25, 2021
John Bigelow, pioneering New York Republican Journalist and Diplomat
Grand Old Partisan honors John Bigelow, born in upstate New York, November 25th 1817. His early career was editing the New York Post. Being opposed to slavery, he abandoned the Democrats for the Free Soil Party. He later became a... Read more →
November 24, 2021
the American Woman Suffrage Association
Grand Old Partisan commemorates the American Woman Suffrage Association. One hundred ten activists, from twenty-five states, signed a call for convention to establish the organization. Leading the way was Republican abolitionist Lucy Stone. Delegates gathered November 24th 1869, in Cleveland,... Read more →
November 23, 2021
William Dennison, resolute War Governor of Ohio
"His wisdom and foresight were appreciated by few and condemned by many." Grand Old Partisan honors William Dennison, born in Cincinnati, November 23rd 1815. The industrious attorney established a bank and two railroads. Entry to politics was as a Whig... Read more →
November 22, 2021
Joseph Seligman, patriotic Jewish Republican Financier
Grand Old Partisan honors Joseph Seligman, born November 22nd 1819. Age seventeen, this enterprising youth immigrated from Germany. Along with five brothers, he established a nationwide merchandising business. This was accomplished despite prejudice against their Jewish heritage. During the Civil... Read more →
November 21, 2021
Ronald Reagan at the groundbreaking for his Presidential Library
Grand Old Partisan commemorates groundbreaking for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. The ceremony took place November 21st 1988 in Simi, California. Said the Gipper: "This is truly a wonderful occasion, the culmination of years of hard work and remarkable generosity,... Read more →
November 20, 2021
Theodore Roosevelt McKeldin, the last Republican Mayor of Baltimore
Grand Old Partisan honors Theodore Roosevelt McKeldin, born in Baltimore, November 20th 1900. He attended college and the University of Maryland Law School at night, while a bank teller. His political career began as a mayor‘s executive secretary. This conscientious... Read more →
November 19, 2021
Solomon Foot, distinguished Senate President Pro Tempore during the Civil War
Grand Old Partisan honors Solomon Foot, born in Vermont, November 19th 1802. He taught school, then studied law and became county prosecutor. This diligent Whig rose to be speaker of the state house. Twice, he was elected to the U.S.... Read more →
November 18, 2021
James Jaquess, intrepid Emissary for Abraham Lincoln
Grand Old Partisan salutes James Jaquess, born in Indiana, November 18th 1819. Studies for the ministry followed graduation from DePauw University. He met Abraham Lincoln while president of an Illinois college. Jaquess vociferously denounced Democrats and slavery. Outbreak of civil... Read more →
November 17, 2021
Betty Ford on The Mary Tyler Moore Show
Grand Old Partisan highlights a highlight of television history. November 17th 1975, Betty Ford acted in a scene for The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Filming took place at the Hay-Adams Hotel, across from the White House. While visiting Washington, Mary... Read more →
November 16, 2021
Henry Markham, from Wisconsin Soldier to California Republican Congressman and Governor
Grand Old Partisan salutes Henry Markham, born November 16th 1840. Outbreak of civil war, he enlisted in the 32nd Wisconsin Infantry. The courageous lieutenant survived two severe wounds. Peace restored, Markham practiced law in Milwaukee. He later relocated to Pasadena... Read more →
November 15, 2021
President Theodore Roosevelt visited Panama
Grand Old Partisan commemorates the first time an incumbent President visited a foreign country. Theodore Roosevelt made an inspection tour of the Panama Canal construction: "We were [in Panama] three days and we worked from morning till night. The second... 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.”