Mark Twain and the Death of the Democratic Party

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I recall the political views of Mark Twain. November 2nd 1880, he made a speech which the press called "a funeral oration for the Democratic Party." Republicans were celebrating victory for the Garfield/Arthur ticket. His somber delivery, contrasting with the evening's exuberance, delighted the crowd:

"The burden of the mourning is The aged and stricken Democratic Party is dying and the burden of the lament will be The mighty is fallen; the Democratic party is dead. And who and what is he that is dying and will presently be dead? A foot sore political wanderer, a honorary political tramp, an itinerant poor actor familiar with many disguises, a butcher of many parts."

This great novelist had campaigned for the GOP in the previous presidential election. He went on to publish the memoirs of Ulysses Grant.

Unfortunately, reports of the Democratic Party's death were greatly exaggerated.

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. 

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Michael Zak is author of Back to Basics for the Republican Party, a history of GOP civil rights achievement.


Each day, his YouTube videos and TikTok videos and Rumble videos and Grand Old Partisan blog celebrate more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. And, see Speech Raves for audience feedback from his presentations in thirty-one states.

Clarence Thomas cited Back to Basics for the Republican Party in a Supreme Court decision.

"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!"

"Your book is a national treasure. I'm always recommending it."

"Michael Zak wrote the definitive history of the GOP."

"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."

"Back to Basics for the Republican Party is more important to our party now than ever before."

and

"one of the best books I ever read"

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