Grand Old Partisan

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I honor Patricia Diaz Dennis, born in New Mexico, October 2nd 1946. She studied at UCLA and Loyola Law School. Her career began at a law firm, followed by a utility and the American Broadcasting Company. In 1983, President Ronald Reagan appointed Dennis to the National Labor Relations Board. Three years later, he named her to the Federal Communications Commission. She was Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs during the George H. Bush administration. In 2005, Girls Scouts of the USA named the former scout their chairperson. Dennis has been hailed as "a longstanding leader and groundbreaking role model." 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 futu...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I commemorate a visit by Dwight Eisenhower to the site of the GOP’s first-ever state convention. October 1st 1952, the presidential nominee and his wife Mamie visited seven Michigan cities in a day. One of those campaign stops was at Jackson. Forty thousand people gathered to see the presidential nominee. The mayor presented him with a wooden elephant he had carved. Eisenhower viewed a commemorative boulder where friends of freedom had gathered so long ago. "I had heard of the Republican rock. I always believed it was a lonely rock. I pictured it in the middle of a river or a lake or something. Instead, look what I found!" Four music bands then accompanied Eisenhower in a parade to a nearby park, where he gave a speech, mostly about foreign policy. Back to Basics for ...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I salute Richard Cavazos, born near Corpus Christi in 1929. The resolute Mexican-American studied geology at Texas Tech University while with its ROTC program. He was awarded a Silver Star and a Distinguished Service Cross for valor during the Korean War, as well as a Distinguished Service Cross during the Vietnam War. October 1st 1973, President Richard Nixon promoted Cavazos to brigadier general, making him the first Hispanic at that rank. He became the first Hispanic at another rank when President Ronald Reagan conferred his fourth star. 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 YouTube Video about this article. Here i...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I highlight Republican respect for all Americans. September 30th 1889, a territorial convention approved a statehood constitution for Wyoming. Among its provisions was guaranteeing women the right to vote. Of the forty-nine delegates, thirty-one were Republicans. Presiding was Melville Brown, a former Abraham Lincoln appointee later named to the federal bench by William McKinley. Within months, voters approved the constitution. July 1890, the GOP-controlled 51st Congress passed a statehood bill and Republican President Benjamin Harrison signed it, admitting Wyoming to the Union. 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 ...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I salute John Mickey, born near Des Moines, September 30th 1845. During the Civil War, he served with the 8th Iowa Cavalry. His regiment battled through Tennessee and Georgia. Peace restored, Mickey attended college then taught school. In 1868, he moved to Nebraska and became a successful rancher and banker. Political activity began as county treasurer, followed by state representative. At the 1902 state GOP convention, Mickey won the gubernatorial nomination, on the 13th ballot. He went on to victory, and then re-election. Later year focused on Nebraska Wesleyan University and the temperance movement. 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.grandoldpar...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I memorialize one of the first instances of African-Americans getting involved in politics. September 29th 1865, one hundred fifty delegates – nearly all emancipated slaves – attended what they called a Convention of Freedmen . Along with two hundred spectators, they met at the AME Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. By the pulpit was a bust of Abraham Lincoln and an inscription: "with malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right." Originating this event was Edian Markham, who had escaped bondage and studied for the ministry. Abraham Galloway, later elected a Republican state senator,  called the gathering to order. James Hood, influential African-American Republican activist, presided.  The convention called for "equal rights before the law" – including being empowered to atten...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I honor Nathaniel Durfee, born in Rhode Island, September 29th 1812. His profession was orchard proprietor. After eleven years a state representative, in 1854 he won election to the U.S. House of Representatives. Midway through a second term, Durfee joined the GOP. This made him the state’s first Republican Congressman. He attended the 1860 Republican National Convention, in support of Abraham Lincoln for President. 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 YouTube Video about this article. Here is an Instagram Video about this article. Here is a TikTok Video about this article. Michael Zak is author of Back to...