GOP 'Young Guns' to release book

Three top House Republicans are set to release a book this fall about the future of conservative politics, placing a younger set of GOP lawmakers center stage as the party makes its final push to win control of the House.

“Young Guns” by House Minority Whip Eric Cantor of Virginia and Reps. Kevin McCarthy of California and Paul Ryan of Wisconsin will be released Sept. 14, timed for the closing two months of the midterm election campaign. Publisher Simon & Schuster announced the book in a release Monday.

The book, which is subtitled “a new generation of conservative leaders,” is expected to put the trio of lawmakers on a publicity tour in the fall, giving them increased visibility. House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio), who would be speaker of the House if Republicans capture enough seats, is not involved in the book, which pictures Cantor, McCarthy and Ryan on the cover.

The 224-page book will say that Republicans have “lost sight of American ideals” and, according to a preview, will outline a “new direction for the Republican Party.” Conservative columnist Fred Barnes, who coined the term “young guns,” wrote the introduction of the book, which is in its final edit.

“Through campaign support for those who believe in private-sector job creation, maximized individual freedom and a better America for our children, the Young Guns are changing the face of the Republican Party and giving Americans a road map to get back to the American dream,” an advanced summary of the book reads.

Brad Dayspring, Cantor’s aggressive, media savvy spokesman, will split his time between the whip’s office and doing publicity for the book – all three of the lawmakers’ political action committees will pay part of Dayspring’s salary. He said the book is a “complementary effort to many already under way to promote conservative candidates, a conservative Republican agenda and a narrative for the 2010 fall election.”

Part of his job will likely be deflecting criticism about its contents, which is sure to come vocally from Democrats, and quietly from Republicans.

Cantor, McCarthy and Ryan are also likely to appear on television, as well as talk about the book at appearances with Republican candidates nationwide.

The lawmakers will donate the book’s proceeds to charity, a source close to the lawmakers said.

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