Grand Old Partisan

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I honor Thomas Turner, born in Rhode Island, October 24th 1810. He worked his way up from ship deck hand to store clerk to president of an insurance company. His political career began as a state legislator. Turner joined the RIGOP when friends of freedom established the party. He was elected Lieutenant Governor in 1857 and then Governor two years later. He cast an electoral vote for Abraham Lincoln. The new President appointed him collector of internal revenue. Later years focused on managing a bank and a railroad. "His urbanity, kindness, and integrity were proverbial." Back to Basics for the Republican Party is my civil rights history of the GOP. To quote the book: "The more we Republicans know about the history of our party, the more Democrats will worry about the future of theirs. For more information, see www.grandoldpartisan.com .  Here is a...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I honor Nina Otero-Warren, born near Albuquerque, October 23rd 1881. After studying at a prestigious college in St. Louis, she moved to Santa Fe when President William McKinley appointed her cousin Territorial Governor. While twelve years the city’s school superintendent, Otero-Warren upgraded facilities and increased teacher salaries. Her stance on bilingual education was innovative for the time: "English language instruction in the classroom, teacher sensitivity to different cultures, Spanish instruction through the arts." This conscientious activist led the way toward New Mexico ratifying the 19th Amendment, and for women’s voting rights. Her grassroots approach included participation by Hispanic women. In 1919, a Republican Governor named her to the Board of Health. In 1922, Otero-Warren won the GOP nomination for Congress but lost the general electi...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I commemorate the New York City women's suffrage parade. October 23rd 1915, fifty thousand people marched, cheered by two hundred thousand spectators. Their purpose was winning support for a referendum to extend voting rights to women in the state. Republican Senator William Borah arrived from Idaho to address the crowd. Republican Mayor John Mitchel said: "I believe I can congratulate the women of this State tonight on their prospects for success. I shall cast my vote for the suffrage amendment. I sincerely urge upon my fellow citizens that they vote for this amendment." Republican Governor Charles Whitman also backed the event. Back to Basics for the Republican Party is my civil rights history of the GOP. To quote the book: "The more we Republicans know about the history of our party, the more Democrats will worry ...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I salute John Chafee, born in Providence, October 22nd 1922. He enlisted in the Marines, fighting at Guadalcanal and Okinawa. After graduation from Yale University and Harvard Law School, he commanded an infantry company during the Korean War. A subordinate described him as "a truly great man."  The moderate Republican won a state house seat in 1956, and rose to be speaker. Six years later, he was elected Governor. Strong management skills earned him two more terms. President Richard Nixon appointed him Navy Secretary. In 1976, Chafee won first of four U.S. Senate terms. Health care and the environment were two of his legislative priorities. Colleagues knew him to be "driven, relentless and focused." Back to Basics for the Republican Party is my civil rights history of the GOP. To quote the book:...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I commemorate the Republican origin of a famous advertising slogan. October 22nd 1907, Theodore Roosevelt visited Nashville. Two thousand students and a cavalry escort accompanied him from the train station to an auditorium. Following a speech, Roosevelt visited the Hermitage, home and burial place of Andrew Jackson. He praised Old Hickory as "sold ier, statesman, patriot– devoted to the welfare of his whole country." There, while at lunch, the President was served Maxwell House coffee. He exclaimed that it was "good to the last drop!" Back to Basics for the Republican Party is my civil rights history of the GOP. To quote the book: "The more we Republicans know about the history of our party, the more Democrats will worry about the future of theirs. For more information, see www.grandoldpartisan.co...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I give a shoutout to Christopher Columbus. President Benjamin Harrison proclaimed: WHEREAS, By joint resolution, approved June 29, 1892, it was resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, "That the President of the United States be authorized and directed to issue a proclamation recommending to the people the observance in all their localities of the four-hundredth anniversary of the discovery of America, on the twenty-first day of October, 1892, by public demonstrations and by suitable exercises in their schools and other places of assembly." Now, therefore, I, Benjamin Harrison, President of the United States of America, in pursuance of the aforesaid joint resolution, do hereby appoint Friday, October 21, 1892, the four-hundredth anniversary of the discovery of America by Columbus, as a general holiday for the peo...