Paul Ryan goes prime time; fellow ‘young guns’ keep lower profile

TAMPA, Fla. -- When Rep. Paul Ryan takes the stage at the Republican convention Wednesday night, his fellow “young guns” will be watching from the good seats.

Ryan, Rep. Eric Cantor of Virginia and Rep. Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield had once been seen as rivals to House Speaker John A. Boehner of Ohio -- a triumvirate of younger leaders who published a book together on their goals for the GOP.

But on Wednesday evening they’ll be sitting with Boehner in the speaker’s box -- a picture of comity.

Cantor has kept a relatively low profile in Tampa.

PHOTOS: Scenes from the GOP convention

He does not have a prime-time speaking role at the convention. In fact, he doesn’t have a speaking role at all.

But that doesn’t mean the rising GOP star has been quiet.

Cantor was in touch with Ryan before the vice presidential nominee’s convention address.

And the Virginian made the rounds to state delegations, gave media interviews, met with donors and rallied the faithful at the Republican Jewish Coalition reception.

“This world has changed and we are going to win,” Cantor, the only Jewish Republican in the House, said at the evening reception, as he urged Jewish activists to “take the message to the voters in our states.”

McCarthy was also making the rounds, stopping in the media file center and having his photo snapped by supporters.

The loss of Ryan’s presence in Congress would be a blow for the trio, those close to Cantor have said. But having a “young gun” in the White House would not be all bad.

Follow Politics Now on Twitter and Facebook

lisa.mascaro@latimes.com

Twitter: @LisaMascaroinDC