The National Republican Congressional Committee has tapped its first group of blue chip recruits to take part in Young Guns, a program to provide support for the party’s top House candidates and put Democrats on the defensive, POLITICO has learned.

The NRCC is boosting a dozen hopefuls mostly running for Democratic-held seats. If the effort succeeds, it would mean Democrats would have to win that many more seats to erase the GOP’s 25-seat edge and take back the House.

Half of the Young Guns inductees are waging competitive bids against Democratic incumbents. They are: Keith Rothfus of Pennsylvania, Matt Doheny and Randy Altschuler of New York, Richard Tisei of Massachusetts, Andy Barr of Kentucky, and Ricky Gill of California.

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“These candidates have met a series of rigorous goals that will put them in position to win on Election Day,” Sessions said in a statement provided to POLITICO. “The momentum behind these campaigns is proof-positive that Americans are fed up with President Obama who continues to spend too much, tax too much and borrow too much at the expense of hard-working families.”

NRCC looks to put Dems on defense
By ALEX ISENSTADT | 5/9/12 6:47 PM EDT