Grand Old Partisan

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I highlight the 1872 Colored Men’s National Convention. Alonzo Ransier, Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina, said their purpose was "to consider ways and means necessary to the conservation of the material and political interests of the colored people of our country." The event took place at Mechanics Hall in New Orleans. In his keynote address on April 14th, Frederick Douglass spoke for the ages: "The Republican Party is the ship, all else is the sea." Delegates passed this resolution unanimously: "Owing our political emancipation in this country to Republican legislation, to which all other parties and political shades of opinion were unjustly and bitterly opposed, we would be blind to our prospects and false to our best interests did we identify ourselves with any other organization." Back to Basics for the Republican...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I admire the  Robert A. Taft Memorial and Carillon . This monument, featuring a statue and bell tower, is near the U.S Capitol. It honors the beloved Ohio Senator known as 'Mr. Republican'. An inscription: "This Memorial to Robert A. Taft, presented by the people to the Congress of the United States, stands as a tribute to the honesty, indomitable courage, and high principles of free government symbolized by his life." Construction had been authorized by congressional resolution and funded by donations from the American people. The dedication ceremony took place on April 14th 1959. After opening remarks by President Dwight Eisenhower, Vice President Richard Nixon accepted the monument in the name of Congress. In the keynote address, former President Herbert Hoover said: "What does matter is that the essential ...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I honor Lemuel Boozer, born in South Carolina, April 14th 1809. The prominent attorney served in both legislative houses. He was one of only three state delegates for the 1860 Democratic National Convention not to back a secessionist nominated by a breakaway faction.  During the Civil War, Boozer remained firmly Unionist. Peace restored, he established a school to educate African-Americans. This county judge was delegate for a convention tasked with writing a new state constitution. In 1868, Republicans nominated him for Lieutenant Governor. He won, and earned praise for presiding impartially at senate debates. It was noted on his passing that "above the gloom of the grave shines the light of a pure and honest life." Back to Basics for the Republican Party  is my civil rights history of the GOP. To quote the book: "The more we Republican...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I salute Bill Clements, born in Dallas, April 13th 1917. He prospered in the oil business after graduating from Southern Methodist University. His offshore drilling company would become the world’s largest. He was an army engineer during WWII.  Clements supported Richard Nixon for the GOP’s 1968 nomination. The new President named him Deputy Secretary of Defense. In 1978, he was elected Governor, the first time for a Republican since Reconstruction. Losing for re-election, he came back four years later for another term. Texans appreciated his "budget discipline, accountability, and tough-on-crime policies." In retirement, Clements chaired SMU’s board of governors. He donated $100 million to the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Back to Basics for the Republican Party  is my civil rights history of the GOP. To quote ...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I salute Ben Nighthorse Campbell, born April 13th 1933. His father was Cheyenne and his mother Portuguese. He served as a military policeman in Korea during the war there, then earned a degree at San Jose State University. He won a gold medal in judo at the 1963 Pan-American Games and competed at the 1964 Olympics. In 1982, the rancher and jeweler won election to the Colorado state house, achieving a reputation for being an effective legislator. After two terms, he won first of three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. In 1992, Campbell was elected a U.S. Senator. Two years into his term, fiscal conservatism led him out of the Democratic Party and into the GOP. As a Republican, he won re-election by a large margin. Back to Basics for the Republican Party  is my civil rights history of the GOP. To quote the book: "The more we Re...