Building the Party: E3 Vanguard works to draw minorities, women to the GOP

*First appeared in the Oct. 3, 2013, edition of the Laurel Chronicle

There's a lot of talk about Republican in-fighting these days. From cable television to lunchtime chatter, I hear complaints (veiled as "observations") near weekly. Politicos question the validity of strategies embraced by certain Republicans. Activists, rightly agitated by the dismal state of affairs in a Democrat-led America, demand flashy demonstrations from politicians lest they be seen as "RINOs" (google that one). All the while, elected members of the Grand Ole Party try to balance on a teetering beam of staying true to Republican ideals and negotiating fair deals to govern effectively.

It isn't always pretty and can be a source of embarrassment for some Republicans. Not this one: I'm a Republican, and quite proud of it. I'm a Republican because I believe we stand for all the right things (no pun intended). There are lots of Republicans. Some I like; some I don't. Some are especially conservative while others gravitate toward the middle. But that's okay, because I think our party wouldn't be so grand if we were a homogenous sort.

Diversity is key to sustaining the Republican Party and, with it, ensuring that conservative ideas are pushed forward in future generations...which means internal disagreements should be pushed aside to focus on evangelizing to those currently outside our reach.

The folks over at E3 Vanguard are doing just that. A group of roughly 100 members, E3 Vanguard was founded last November to focus on, among other issues, growing the Republican Party by strategic outreach to the African American community. Its leadership committee includes president Nic Lott, Rita Wray, Veronica Naylor, and Lee Bush.

Their mission is to educate the electorate, particularly African Americans, by focusing on "individual responsibility, strengthening families, quality education, economic opportunity, civic duty and faith in God." These goals are aligned with the core principles of the Republican Party, which is why E3 considers serving as an outreach arm of the GOP as part of its core function.

"E3 Vanguard welcomes the opportunity to focus on minority outreach at a time when our great nation continues to grow in diversity. We recognize that Americans from all walks of life embrace the very principles and conservative values we uphold,” E3 Vanguard president Nic Lott told the Chronicle.

As Lott alludes, the group isn't solely focused on the black community but desires to expand the base of the GOP by recruiting individuals whose values and beliefs are consistent with the Party. This broader focus includes all persons of color, women, and youth.

To date, E3 Vanguard has made progress, adopting a comprehensive strategy which includes items like development of a program matching minority college students with Republican business and government leaders. I know firsthand how important internships can be in formation of political views and, ultimately, career choices.

About the group’s initial success, Lott remarked that the organization has had “a great first year.” The group’s long term mission, he says, is “informing the electorate, growing the base, and building partnerships in achieving our goals.”

So far, so good. The group’s kick-off event was keynoted by former Governor and Republican partybuilder Haley Barbour. Plans are in the works for a 2013 Fall Forum, "United We Stand," featuring speakers like Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves and Speaker of the House Philip Gunn discussing issues like education, the economy, and healthcare.

E3 Vanguard enjoys a collaborative relationship with the Mississippi GOP and has met several times with Chairman Joe Nosef. While the group is in its early stages, it appears the GOP establishment has embraced E3's mission - an indication that party leaders share the goal of increasing diversity within party ranks.

Being a Republican doesn't mean having a large collection of elephants and a framed picture of Ronald Reagan. There is no requirement that you wear red, nor a mandate to listen to country music (which, by the way, is my least favorite of all the genres). What a Republican does believe, however, is in individual freedom, personal responsibility, free market economic policies, and a society that respects our God-given rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That covers a whole lot of us, doesn't it?