2009: 200th Anniversary of Lincoln's Birth

In recent years, the Republican leadership missed two chances to hit a home run. If, in early 2004, the Grand Old Party had celebrated its 150th anniversary, Republicans would have entered the Bush-Kerry campaign with greater enthusiasm and sense of purpose. If, in early 2006, the Republican National Committee had celebrated its 150th anniversary, Republicans would have entered the mid-term election campaign more unified and focused.

History now grants the GOP a third chance. Next year is the 200th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln. Just think of the magnificent opportunities for outreach, for party-building, for fundraising!

Most history books take Abraham Lincoln out of his proper context as a Republican, depicting him instead as "above politics" or as a quasi-Democrat. Democrats can steal our Republican heritage only if we let them. The way for our Party to retake the policy initiative is to embrace our true heritage, undistorted by all those books written by Democrat historians.

As Republicans struggle to repair our damaged brand, we should draw inspiration from our party's first President. We should remind the nation - and ourselves - that ours is the Party of Lincoln.

The bicentennial of Lincoln's birth is less than two month away: February 12, 2009. I call on Republicans around the nation to begin right now to plan commemorative events. Let's be sure to remember the 16th President not only as the Great Emancipator, but also the Great Republican.

By honoring Abraham Lincoln, Ronald Reagan and other Republican heroes at events throughout 2009, you can help the Republican Party get Back to Basics.

Michael Zak is a popular speaker to Republican organizations around the country. He is the author of Back to Basics for the Republican Party. Each day, his Grand Old Partisan blog celebrates 154 years of Republican heroes and heroics. See www.RepublicanBasics.com for more information.