Speaker Paul Ryan's Election Year Advice for Young Republicans

— -- House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisconsin, advised young conservatives to remain optimistic in a surprising election year for the GOP.

At a town hall at Georgetown University, Ryan was questioned by one young Republican who said he’s been “very dismayed by this year’s election so far.”

“Why is that?” Ryan asked.

The Georgetown student said young Republicans “find it very difficult” to support either of the top two candidates for his party’s nomination, New York businessman Donald Trump and Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas.

“Unfortunately, this is not the first time I’ve had this question,” Ryan remarked.

The Wisconsin Republican urged his audience to “look at the policies, not the person.”

“It’s the policies that matter so much,” Ryan said.

“In front of you is not just a vote for a person, a political personality, in front of you ... will be a choice between two paths you will have to take,” Ryan continued.

“I would look at the ideas, look at the platform that’s being advanced."

Ryan promoted the House GOP's agenda project -- a series of policy proposals Ryan and his conference plan to release ahead of the July Republican convention that will provide a set of policies down-ballot Republicans across the country can run on in November.

The proposals could be a harder sell to Trump, the current front-runner, who is at odds with Ryan on trade and entitlement reform.

Ryan, who has spoken to the remaining GOP presidential candidates about the project, has said they're all comfortable with House Republicans' efforts.