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Young Guns: A New Generation of Conservative Leaders
America urgently needs a new direction. But who will provide it?
The time has come to move the country forward with a clear agenda based on common sense for the common good.
THERE IS A BETTER WAY.
Make no Congressmen Eric Cantor, Paul Ryan, and Kevin McCarthy are proud Republicans. But they believe the party had lost sight of the ideals it believes in, like economic freedom, limited government, the sanctity of life, and putting families first. This isn’t your grandfather’s Republican party. These Young Guns of the House GOP—Cantor (the leader), Ryan (the thinker), and McCarthy (the strategist)—are ready to take their belief in the principles that have made America great and translate it into solutions that will make the future even better, solutions that will create private sector jobs, maximize individual freedom, and establish a better world for our children. This groundbreaking book is a call to action that sets forth a plan for growth, opportunity, and commitment that will propel this country to prosperity once again. Together, the Young Guns are changing the face of the Republican party and giving us a new road map back to the American dream.
The time has come to move the country forward with a clear agenda based on common sense for the common good.
THERE IS A BETTER WAY.
Make no Congressmen Eric Cantor, Paul Ryan, and Kevin McCarthy are proud Republicans. But they believe the party had lost sight of the ideals it believes in, like economic freedom, limited government, the sanctity of life, and putting families first. This isn’t your grandfather’s Republican party. These Young Guns of the House GOP—Cantor (the leader), Ryan (the thinker), and McCarthy (the strategist)—are ready to take their belief in the principles that have made America great and translate it into solutions that will make the future even better, solutions that will create private sector jobs, maximize individual freedom, and establish a better world for our children. This groundbreaking book is a call to action that sets forth a plan for growth, opportunity, and commitment that will propel this country to prosperity once again. Together, the Young Guns are changing the face of the Republican party and giving us a new road map back to the American dream.
- GenresPoliticsNonfiction
224 pages, Paperback
First published September 14, 2010
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94 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
September 20, 2012
It's not the policies that I found hard to stomach in this book but rather the hypocritical approach, the lack of specific policies and the glossing over of some very important events that shocked me.
Firstly, the opening chapter starts out rather bizarre. It claims to be a "conversation" between the three men over Diet Cokes and bottles of water. The conversation between Paul Ryan, Eric Cantor and Kevin McCarthy comes across as more of a talking point meeting where the three sit around and come up with talking points. They don't converse. They either have incredible memories of this "conversation" or decided to tape record the meeting (which, if so, is just odd) or the whole thing is made up. I suspect the later.
Secondly, although the men admit to mistakes made my Republicans over the past decade, they barely touch on what those mistakes were -- especially on the economic front. Other than Alaska's so-called "Bridge to Nowhere", the three men really don't outline what economic policies of the Bush administration (or even their opinions of the Clinton administration) got the United States into the economic hell-hole that it found itself in at the start of this decade. Instead they focus on what the Obama administration had done in the first year and a half of being in power and try to tie that to the economic mess that the United States found itself in when this book was written.
Thirdly, this book is incredibly light on foreign policy. Yes, the economy was the number one topic among American voters in 2010 and remains so in 2012 but the three men gloss right over foreign affairs - except for a lot of economic shots at European countries. Members of congress shouldn't be shy about discussing items that fall outside of the wallet -- or are tied indirectly to the wallet. These three could have added a few more pages to an already thin book with a bit more ideas about the world beyond the US border.
Fourth, what invasion of Iraq? That's the sort of approach the men take to the conflict that helped run down the American economy, run up spending (the central theme of this book) and in 2006 and 2008 helped usher out their Republican colleagues. There's almost no mention of this conflict.
Finally, I think it's really worth calling out a bit of the rhetoric in this book. Paul Ryan on page 110:
"... too much of our recent political history has been spent trading accusations about which political party cares about the American people more than the other."
"As usual, Washington has been treating the American people like children, not talking about substantive differences, just calling each other names. My party: good. Your party: bad."
Noble words. Seems like this is going good places. It's uplifting and non-partisan. It's refreshing. And then...
Paul Ryan on page 111 - the OPPOSITE PAGE! :
"Washington's self-proclaimed Progressives see the crisis in spending and debt coming just as clearly as we do. The difference is, they're not interested in applying the breaks. They want to see America hurtle past the point of no return."
BOOM.
What in the hell, guy.
Paul, you couldn't even wait to get beyond the font on the opposite page before spilling the hypocritical ink?
If this wasn't a loaned library book (do not pay the $15US/$17CAN to buy this book) I would have thrown it right into the toilet. I did chuckle at the fact that the font from these two opposing statements actually touch each other when the book is closed. That's probably the way this book should remain. Closed.
I applaud these men on their attempts at getting more people, particularly a new generation, involved in the process. I also found their approach to using modern technology refreshing as they made great attempts to propel their party forward.
The rest of this book is light on any sort of foreign or social policy and strikes me as extremely hypocritical in various parts.
Firstly, the opening chapter starts out rather bizarre. It claims to be a "conversation" between the three men over Diet Cokes and bottles of water. The conversation between Paul Ryan, Eric Cantor and Kevin McCarthy comes across as more of a talking point meeting where the three sit around and come up with talking points. They don't converse. They either have incredible memories of this "conversation" or decided to tape record the meeting (which, if so, is just odd) or the whole thing is made up. I suspect the later.
Secondly, although the men admit to mistakes made my Republicans over the past decade, they barely touch on what those mistakes were -- especially on the economic front. Other than Alaska's so-called "Bridge to Nowhere", the three men really don't outline what economic policies of the Bush administration (or even their opinions of the Clinton administration) got the United States into the economic hell-hole that it found itself in at the start of this decade. Instead they focus on what the Obama administration had done in the first year and a half of being in power and try to tie that to the economic mess that the United States found itself in when this book was written.
Thirdly, this book is incredibly light on foreign policy. Yes, the economy was the number one topic among American voters in 2010 and remains so in 2012 but the three men gloss right over foreign affairs - except for a lot of economic shots at European countries. Members of congress shouldn't be shy about discussing items that fall outside of the wallet -- or are tied indirectly to the wallet. These three could have added a few more pages to an already thin book with a bit more ideas about the world beyond the US border.
Fourth, what invasion of Iraq? That's the sort of approach the men take to the conflict that helped run down the American economy, run up spending (the central theme of this book) and in 2006 and 2008 helped usher out their Republican colleagues. There's almost no mention of this conflict.
Finally, I think it's really worth calling out a bit of the rhetoric in this book. Paul Ryan on page 110:
"... too much of our recent political history has been spent trading accusations about which political party cares about the American people more than the other."
"As usual, Washington has been treating the American people like children, not talking about substantive differences, just calling each other names. My party: good. Your party: bad."
Noble words. Seems like this is going good places. It's uplifting and non-partisan. It's refreshing. And then...
Paul Ryan on page 111 - the OPPOSITE PAGE! :
"Washington's self-proclaimed Progressives see the crisis in spending and debt coming just as clearly as we do. The difference is, they're not interested in applying the breaks. They want to see America hurtle past the point of no return."
BOOM.
What in the hell, guy.
Paul, you couldn't even wait to get beyond the font on the opposite page before spilling the hypocritical ink?
If this wasn't a loaned library book (do not pay the $15US/$17CAN to buy this book) I would have thrown it right into the toilet. I did chuckle at the fact that the font from these two opposing statements actually touch each other when the book is closed. That's probably the way this book should remain. Closed.
I applaud these men on their attempts at getting more people, particularly a new generation, involved in the process. I also found their approach to using modern technology refreshing as they made great attempts to propel their party forward.
The rest of this book is light on any sort of foreign or social policy and strikes me as extremely hypocritical in various parts.
Read
October 5, 2023this book has aged like the finest vintage of milk
October 28, 2011
I'm an independent voter seeking alternatives to the two political party machines. What Cantor, Ryan, and McCarthy have to say isn't complicated: they know the GOP lost their way since the mid-1990s, they explain how it happened, and they outline their plan to get the party, and the nation, back on track. I was already familiar with Cantor and Ryan; I follow them on Facebook, have read interviews from both, and generally approve their Young Guns splinter within the GOP. Cantor is the Young Guns' leader and GOP Whip, while Ryan is a thinker, examining issues (unemployment, the debt, health care, etc.) and laying out plans to address them. McCarthy, whose specialty is election strategy, hasn't been in the limelight as much, but I found his discussion of some candidates on the ballot for the 2010 mid-term elections interesting.
This review is for the book, not the politics nor the party. A five-star rating could have been earned through tighter editing (a couple grammatical lapses, no typos that I noticed) and a bit less repetition. Granted, they wanted to ensure their point came across.
This review is for the book, not the politics nor the party. A five-star rating could have been earned through tighter editing (a couple grammatical lapses, no typos that I noticed) and a bit less repetition. Granted, they wanted to ensure their point came across.
June 5, 2011
There may BE some interesting ideas in this book... but I didn't find them. Mostly, these "Young Guns" seemed to sit in a circle and gripe about their political enemies. Apparently, someone wrote it all down.
January 2, 2014
While the parts by Eric Cantor and Mike McCarthy are interesting, the best part is written by Paul Ryan.
December 6, 2023
If you didn't find this as just another money grab and something that conservative groups could snatch up to put it on the NYTime's best seller list and then give them out as party favors when it first came out, you should now.
None of these "conservative leaders" will be in a position of leadership at the end of this year. Now, House leadership is a guy from Ohio whose district looks like a duck due to gerrymandering, a guy from KY that is credibly accused of abusing his girlfriend, a woman who can't go to see Beetlejuice, etc.
The ideas put forth in this book are mostly pie in the sky without any real feet in the ground as to how these ideas would be implemented and not a care that they're unpopular with a majority of the country.
None of these "conservative leaders" will be in a position of leadership at the end of this year. Now, House leadership is a guy from Ohio whose district looks like a duck due to gerrymandering, a guy from KY that is credibly accused of abusing his girlfriend, a woman who can't go to see Beetlejuice, etc.
The ideas put forth in this book are mostly pie in the sky without any real feet in the ground as to how these ideas would be implemented and not a care that they're unpopular with a majority of the country.
October 9, 2023
I mean I don’t agree with it, I’m a liberal democrat, but it’s an interesting historical read and their writing is prettu engaging, if not deceptively partisan at times (which is fine it’ll obviously be partisan just don’t screw around and say it isn’t). Honestly it’s most interesting as a historical document; look at where all three of its founders are now. Reading McCarthy’s section in particular just felt a little sad. I wonder if he still gets goosebumps when he walks into the Capitol…
January 13, 2018
Boring!
February 16, 2021
A very good book to show what the GOPs core values are. It is also good input to see how these Republicans try to change the party but didn’t get it exactly how they anticipated.
January 4, 2025
Womp womp. Read this book in grad school and read again after Speaker McCarthy was ousted.
November 13, 2012
This book was clearly read about two weeks late. When the GOP gets fewer presidential votes than 2008 (McCain)they are working off of an old playbook. The demographics have shifted with an increasing portion of female and Hispanic Votes. Arizona, Georgia and maybe even Texas will be swing states in 2016. Colorado & NM may not be considered swing states at all. Karl Rove, Romney, Fox News misread the electorate and likely voter turnout.
Congressman Paul Ryan (VP candidate Wisconsin, catholic) the thinker,
Congressman Erik Cantor (Virginia, Jewish, Republican Whip) the leader, and
Congressman Kevin McCarthy (California, Baptist)..the innovator
they all still stand for a lot of things many Americans stand for and that the Republican party of Reagan stood for:
-developing domestic coal and oil and shedding reliance on middle east suppliers
-cutting tax rates
-cutting the size of the federal government and discretionay/pork barrel spending (the famous bridge to nowhere in Alaska)
-strong military
-avoiding government bailouts and non-productive (787 billion stimulus packages)
-getting education dollars out of Washington and back to the States
-term limits
-decrease in campaing spending
Can these "Young Guns" make a difference. Their vision for American did not resonate with the American people during the election of 2012. With the Fiscal Cliff looming we will see where the Republican Congress goes from here.
October 16, 2012
Good book. I read this book as I am very concerned about the economic woes facing this country today. I think we need to stick to our capitalist roots and I am a strong critic of the socialist agenda that President Obama is proposing. What drew me to this book is that I like Paul Ryan and his views on strengthening the economy and reducing the budget. Ryan quoted economist Milton Friedman, 'there 's no such thing as a free lunch." I think Obama 's supporters really need to take that into account. My parents came to this country to escape communism which is an ideology that comes from socialism in it 's most awful form. They came here for the American dream which they achieved from working extremely hard and from saving every penny so their children could have a better life. No one gave them any handouts. I believe what has made America great is this attitude that if I work hard, I can make something of myself. My parents never asked the American people or the American government for anything. The current political philosophy of our current president is the opposite of this. Obama thinks everyone needs the government's assistance. I do not believe this nor do the authors of this book. I respect the author 's political philosophy and plan to bring us back to what our founding fathers stood for:smaller government and an American can do attitude.
April 2, 2011
Young Guns does a number of things well. It lays out today's Republican values, which I would label as the new Conservative values. It articulates the strategy for the 2010 election, which in retrospect proved effective. Finally, and as difficult as it is to admit, the authors examine the failures of the Republican Party under the leadership of Bush.
The philosophy that Cantor, Ryan and McCarthy espouse i.e. small and limited government maximizing individual freedom is an ideology I embrace so I was predisposed to like the book. But in addition, they dispel the myth that this philosophy and the reform of entitlements will eliminate the safety nets in our society. Ryan’s Roadmap to America’s Future is a chapter that succinctly states his ideas for reforming Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Even if you cannot identify with today’s conservatives I would suggest this chapter is must reading.
I found the book very readable especially the sections authored by Cantor and Ryan. I would like to find similar readings that reflect the view of the Democrats so I have a more balanced perspective. I can recommend this book to not only my conservative friends but my progressive ones as well.
The philosophy that Cantor, Ryan and McCarthy espouse i.e. small and limited government maximizing individual freedom is an ideology I embrace so I was predisposed to like the book. But in addition, they dispel the myth that this philosophy and the reform of entitlements will eliminate the safety nets in our society. Ryan’s Roadmap to America’s Future is a chapter that succinctly states his ideas for reforming Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Even if you cannot identify with today’s conservatives I would suggest this chapter is must reading.
I found the book very readable especially the sections authored by Cantor and Ryan. I would like to find similar readings that reflect the view of the Democrats so I have a more balanced perspective. I can recommend this book to not only my conservative friends but my progressive ones as well.
September 2, 2012
With the nomination of Paul Ryan as the VP candidate for the Republican Party, I decided I should set out to find out more about him. This book has 3 authors and, of the three, Paul Ryan's section was the shortest. However, it did give me a glimpse into his thought processes and the way that he sees the world.
I was hoping this book would be a little bit heavier on policies, and while it did discuss some of the policies and proposed solutions of these 3 individuals, it was primarily the story of the political strategies that they employed to regain a Republican majority in Congress.
It was eye opening to see the way that politics often functions. Paul Ryan talked about how President Obama complimented his Roadmap For America's Future and called it a "serious proposal." But then, less than 72 hours later Democrats publicly told the media that Republicans were "frozen in the ice of their own indifference." That's what frustrates me about politics.
All in all, I enjoyed this book. It is certainly not my favorite political book, but it was fun to learn a little bit more about political processes and strategy.
I was hoping this book would be a little bit heavier on policies, and while it did discuss some of the policies and proposed solutions of these 3 individuals, it was primarily the story of the political strategies that they employed to regain a Republican majority in Congress.
It was eye opening to see the way that politics often functions. Paul Ryan talked about how President Obama complimented his Roadmap For America's Future and called it a "serious proposal." But then, less than 72 hours later Democrats publicly told the media that Republicans were "frozen in the ice of their own indifference." That's what frustrates me about politics.
All in all, I enjoyed this book. It is certainly not my favorite political book, but it was fun to learn a little bit more about political processes and strategy.
November 21, 2010
It's not that I don't agree or dislike the opinions. This book seems to be more for people who suddenly find themselves interested in politics and laws that are shoved down their throats. These guys go through the policy of the last few years as if the reader has been under a rock. Perhaps this is intentional and someone besides me is the intended audience.
These guys make a good point, it is made strongly and in an easy to read manner. No real specifics. The intent is more like "look where the USA is headed...we have to DO SOMETHING!!!"
If you find yourself agreeing with the points in this book, or if you pay attention to and interpret the daily news, I recommend some of Ron Paul's stuff for futher reading. Also August Von Hayek's Road to Serfdom was motivating, although compared to Young Guns is very advanced in economics.
These guys make a good point, it is made strongly and in an easy to read manner. No real specifics. The intent is more like "look where the USA is headed...we have to DO SOMETHING!!!"
If you find yourself agreeing with the points in this book, or if you pay attention to and interpret the daily news, I recommend some of Ron Paul's stuff for futher reading. Also August Von Hayek's Road to Serfdom was motivating, although compared to Young Guns is very advanced in economics.
December 30, 2010
This book really ticked me off. I am a fan of Paul Ryan and expected a whole lot more out of him rather than the same Republican talking points and finger pointing that are standard behavior out of both parties which has gotten this country into the mess it is in. I had real hopes that this book would be a game plan for what a new generation of conservative politicians were going to do. What was in the book, instead, was the same old finger pointing and same old Republican talking points! I really hope this is not a sign of things to come that the Republicans had sworn they learned from by the November, 2010 elections. Hmmmm
October 14, 2010
This book is an honest look at where our country is and where we're heading if we don't find a way to stop Big Government. It uses FACTS not opinions to point out why the economy is in the shape it's in and it offers practical solutions on how to fix it. I wish every person in America would read it!!!
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October 25, 2010Loved it! I am so rooting for the Young Gun Conservatives. I appreciated the common sense solutions outlined here. Who says the Conservatives don't have a plan? This book is down to earth, insightful, enlightening, and encouraging.
December 15, 2011
A little dry, but it's politics...to be expected. I thought all three authors to be very sincere in their desire to see our country make real progress back toward greatness and found myself wishing any one of them were in the running for the Republican presidential nomination.
October 3, 2010
A must-read for anyone looking for common sense solutions to our economy and our growing government.
October 12, 2010
A little light on specific policy (except for Ryan's chapters, as expected), but still a good primer and three very promising, principled conservatives.
February 3, 2011
I read this for my boss and summarized it for him. Made me angry while I was reading it but I "took one for the team." Lots of lies. Lots of rhetoric. Blah Blah Blah...
June 9, 2017
I was disappointed that the authors campaigned as principled conservatives when they were in the minority, but succumbed to Potomac Political Fever once they became part of the majority.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews