House GOP Trio Pens Book on Governing
| Three House Republicans are putting themselves forward as the next generation of leaders in a new book, “Young Guns: A New Generation of Conservative Leaders.”
It argues that big mistakes were made the last time Republicans were in charge and offers one vision for the future that has already drawn serious opposition. The book is written by Eric Cantor of Virginia, Paul Ryan of Wisconsin and Kevin McCarthy of California, all in their 40s, and all likely to take leadership positions if the GOP takes control of the House this November. The trio has cut a YouTube ad to promote the book. Just one section of the book, written by Ryan, spells out what Republicans might do if they are charge. The “road map” includes such ideas as converting Social Security for future retirees into private accounts that could be invested in the stock market. Medicare would become a voucher-type program where the government gives seniors money to buy health plans. “The problem, in a nutshell, is this: Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, three giant entitlements, are out of control,” Ryan writes. Democrats seized on Ryan’s plan for Social Security, which is similar to one that President George W. Bush pushed unsuccessfully in 2005. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office said in a statement that the book provides “more evidence that congressional Republicans will jeopardize the retirement security for millions of American workers and their families.” Other parts of the book are more generic, such as this passage by Cantor: “Under a Republican Congress, Americans will see less Washington and more hope, opportunity and freedom.” There is scant mention of the man who now heads the House Republicans: Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio. He is referred to only a few times, and in passing. Cantor, is the No. 2 Republican in the House, Ryan is the top Republican on the Budget Committee and McCarthy has worked to recruit Republicans to run for Congress this year. Democrats are trying to make the coming midterms elections a choice much like voters faced in 2008, between “going forward” with a Democratic vision and “going back” to the last round of Republican ideas. But Cantor, Ryan and McCarthy don’t defend the GOP of old; they pile on. They are particularly critical of earmarks — the federal spending directed by Congress to benefit particular projects or areas. “The fact is, we had our chance, and we blew it,” Cantor writes. In losing control of the House in 2006, he said, “we got what we had coming.” The book is heavily focused on economics, though the back cover says that Republicans lost sight of ideals including “sanctity of life,” as well as economic freedom and limited government. The book itself appears to contain no references to abortion or other social issues that Republicans have long embraced. The book is being published Sept. 14 by Threshold Editions, a Simon & Schuster imprint that specializes in conservative nonfiction. |