GOP Facts

GOP stands for either Gallant Old Party or Grand Old Party. It refers to the Republican Party. The GOP and the Democratic Party are the main political parties in the United States. The Republican Party is based on a conservative platform, according to MoneyMatters101.com.

History

• The GOP was founded by anti-slavery activists in 1856. The party is sometimes called the "Party of Lincoln". Its presidential candidate, Abraham Lincoln, was elected into office in 1860, according to the Oregon Republican Party.

Party Symbol

• The elephant is probably the best known symbol of the GOP. The elephant was made famous in the mid-term elections of 1874 by cartoonist Thomas Nast, who worked for Harper's Weekly.

Membership

• The GOP has more than 55 million registered voters, according to Money Matters 101. The party represents pro-life, pro-business, pro-military and conservative religious views. The GOP platform is built on personal responsibility, lower taxes and private sector rather than government control of social matters like housing and health care.