Rep. Paul Ryan — former vice presidential candidate, current Wisconsin congressman and rumored White House candidate for 2016 — has scored a deal for a book, due out in August, commenting on the state of conservatism and the way of the Republican Party’s future.
And now one lingering question: Is that Mr. Ryan’s way of paving the way for a White House run?
The Associated Press reported that his book is tentatively called “Where Do We Go From Here?” The publisher is Twelve, an imprint of Grand Central Publishing.
The publisher said in a statement that the book “will delve into the state of the conservative movement in America today, how it contrasts with liberal progressivism and what needs to be done to save the American Idea. It will challenge conventional thinking, renew the conservative vision for 2014 and beyond, and show how it is essential for the well-being of our communities and the future of our nation.”
Mr. Ryan hasn’t yet announced he intends to seek the GOP presidential nod in 2016. But talk of his run is on the rise — especially after he announced just a few days ago that he was heading to New Hampshire, home to the first-in-the-nation primary, to campaign for former Rep. Frank Guinta, a Republican who is launching another bid for Congress after losing his seat in the 2012 election.
Other Republican notables such as Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal already have hit the New Hampshire trail — and the common denominator is that all are seen as possible 2016 presidential candidates. On top of that, books are a popular way for candidates to vet themselves and control controversial messages in the lead-up to a campaign announcement.
Mr. Ryan also is scheduled to appear in Iowa, host of the caucuses that kick off the GOP presidential nomination race, to deliver the keynote speech at Iowa Gov. Terry Brandstad’s birthday bash in November.
This book will not be Mr. Ryan’s first: He co-authored “Young Guns: A New Generation of Conservative Leaders” with Republican Reps. Eric Cantor of Virginia and Kevin McCarthy of California in 2010.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.
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