Young Guns, by Rep. Paul Ryan, Rep. Eric Cantor & Rep. Kevin McCarthy: on Principles & Values

Paul Ryan: FactCheck: "Progressivists" is intentionally insulting term

Ryan further misleads readers by asserting, "Left-of-center politicians stopped calling themselves 'liberals' and started calling themselves 'Progressives.' I can't say precisely why they made this switch." That is factually incorrect. Liberals and progressives are distinct factions in the Democratic Party, akin to libertarians vs. Christian conservatives in the Republican Party. Hillary Clinton represented the liberal faction in 2008; Barack Obama represented the progressive faction.

Aaron Schock: 2008: Youngest member of US House of Representatives

Aaron went on to become state representative at age 23--again making him the youngest member of that body. After two very effective terms as a state representative he decided to run for Congress in 2008 after moderate Republican Ray LaHood announced his retirement.

Schock went on to win nearly 60% of the vote in a 3-way race. And once again he was the youngest member--this time of the United States House of Representatives.

Adam Kinzinger: 2003: Hero of the Year Award from local Red Cross

But the call he heard on a Milwaukee street while still serving in the Air National Guard was perhaps the most unexpected. It was the scream of a woman who was bleeding from her throat, being chased by a man with a knife. Unarmed, Kinzinger sprang into action, fought the knife away from the man, and pinned him to the ground along with another person until local police arrived. His act of courage earned him Hero of the Year by the American Red Cross in southeastern Wisconsin.

Eric Cantor: Leader of the "Young Guns" conservative movement

What prompted Cantor, Ryan and McCarthy to come together was a story in "The Weekly Standard". They knew each other as members of the embattled Republican caucus that had lost control of the House in the disastrous 2006 mid-term election. But they hadn't realized their individual skills were remarkably complementary: Cantor the leader, Ryan the thinker, McCarthy the strategist.

With money, manpower, and advice, Young Guns supports challengers, many in races that otherwise might be ignored by the national party. Young Guns is partial to young, reform-minded Republicans. In short, Cantor, Ryan and McCarthy would like to fill the ranks of House Republicans with members, like themselves, committed to policies and legislation infused with the principles of limited government, free markets, and individual freedom.

Erik Paulsen: 2008: Succeeded Rep. Jim Ramstad after serving as his aide

Eric Paulsen had been a businessman and a public servant. He had served in the state legislature and had been chosen to serve in leadership (in his case as majority leader in the Minnesota House of Representatives). He had also worked for Congressman Ramstad as legislative director and director of his home office in Minnesota. In addition to his public service experience, Erik also brought sixteen years of business experience to the campaign.

And while Erik campaigned for the ideals we all supported, what made him stand out was his hard work. Erik in many ways simply outworked his opponent to win by 8 points in a very tough environment and a district that Democrats had targeted as a potential pickup.

Kevin McCarthy: Strategist of the "Young Guns" conservative movement

What prompted Cantor, Rep. Ryan and McCarthy to come together was a story in "The Weekly Standard" (with separate profiles on each of them). They appeared on the cover in a photo taken on a Capitol balcony overlooking the Mall. They knew each other as members of the embattled Republican caucus that had lost control of the House in the disastrous 2006 mid-term election. But they hadn't realized their individual skills were remarkably complimentary: Cantor the leader, Ryan the thinker, McCarthy the strategist. Some of us at "The Weekly Standard" had noticed this. Thus the cover story.

The party establishment was dedicated to protecting incumbents at all cost. Cantor, Ryan and McCarthy would like to fill the ranks of House Republicans with members like themselves. Young Guns is not for "me-too" Republicans.

Kevin McCarthy: Led 2010 effort for electable reformist Republicans

Kevin McCarthy: Christened "Young Guns" in 2007 in "Weekly Standard" article

Kevin approached Eri & Paul about the idea of traveling together, as "Young Guns", to visit Republican candidates interested in a new approach for the party.

What began as an informal way to support like-minded candidates became a more formal structure. Once we had studie the candidate and given him or her our support to become a Young Gun, we committed to providing financial support through our campaign committees.

We knew we weren't the only House Republicans eager to change our party, so we began approaching our colleagues with a simple pitch: Are we willing to help ourselves by being proactive and going on the offense to change this House? Dozens of our House Republican colleagues joined our Young Gun effort as one of the many signs that our party had shifted.

Kevin McCarthy: 2009: Tea Party roadtrip to recruit candidates

There was one person who caught my eye when we were recruiting in Tennessee: Stephen Fincher. After we met, he decided to run for Congress in against Rep. John Tanner, an entrenched incumbent who hadn't faced serious opposition since 1994. [After Fincher gained momentum], Tanner announced he would not seek reelection!

Lynn Jenkins: 20 years as State Treasurer; background as CPA

Her background as a CPA and experience as state treasurer matched up well with the growing concerns about the economy and the lack of fiscal discipline in Washington.

Lynn campaigned on making tax cuts permanent, cutting spending to reduce the deficit, and providing additional smart tax relief to the struggling middle class. Kansas respected her experience and commitment to fiscal responsibility, limited government, and political accountability. She went on the defeat Nancy Boyda 51%-46%, regaining a seat we had lost just two years before in 2006.

Lynn Westmoreland: 2009: Tea Party roadtrip to recruit candidates

There was one person who caught my eye when we were recruiting in Tennessee: Stephen Fincher. After we met, he decided to run for Congress in against Rep. John Tanner, an entrenched incumbent who hadn't faced serious opposition since 1994. [After Fincher gained momentum], Tanner announced he would not seek reelection!

Milton Friedman: There is no such thing as a free lunch

Paul Ryan: Thinker of the "Young Guns" conservative movement

In "The Weekly Standard", they appeared on the cover in a photo taken on a Capitol balcony overlooking the Mall. They kne each other as members of the embattled Republican caucus that had lost control of the House in the disastrous 2006 mid-term election. But they hadn't realized their individual skills were remarkably complimentary: Cantor the leader, Ryan the thinker, McCarthy the strategist. Some of us at "The Weekly Standard" had noticed this. Thus the cover story.

In a sense, their alliance and the creation of Young Guns was a revolt against the older, established Republican leaders in the House. The party establishment was dedicated to protecting incumbents at all cost. With money, manpower, and advice, Young Guns supports challengers. Young Guns is not for "me-too" Republicans, those comfortable with a scaled-back version of the Democratic agenda.

Paul Ryan: Liberals started calling themselves Progressivists

Progressivism is actually an old political movement in America, going back before the beginning of the 20th century. Progressivism marked the point at which some politicians and intellectuals began for the first time to question the meaning of the Constitution, that the Constitution should be a "living" document whose meaning had to "keep up with the times." Suddenly government could create "rights"--and just as easily as it could create them, it could take them away.

The Progressivist vision is to create a new American person who no longer strives to better oneself but accepts one's station in life--and looks to the government to help cope not only with difficulties but with every important personal decision.

[This statement is factually incorrect; see OnTheIssues.org FactCheck --ed.]

Stephen Fincher: A farmer who's concerned about where this country's going

Stephen in many ways epitomizes the type of candidates Young Guns is trying to recruit. He told us: "How am I going to answer my children in the future when they ask me, 'What did you do when the country changed? Did you stand u and fight?'"

Fincher ended up fighting. After we met, he decided to run for Congress. But through hard work and the trust of his family and friends, Stephen barnstormed the district and raised a spectacular $1 million. His momentum and the changing political environment had an impact: Tanner announced he would not seek reelection! Stephen epitomizes what Young Guns is all about--and his commitment to bringing fiscal sanity, accountability, and fresh ideas is sorely needed in Congress.