GOP's Functionalist Tendencies an Obstacle in Attracting Youth

More concern trolling on the right (well, from the Wall Street Journal) regarding young voters' support of Obama, and thus, the Democratic Party come 2010:

Moreover, the sour mood that has gripped the nation’s politics could only further turn off the young. This means that the decision of Republican congressional leaders to put up a solid front of opposition to Obama could be highly functional for a party that would rather see younger, more progressive voters ignore Election Day.” Dionne further notes: “More than is often appreciated, the electoral revolution that brought Democrats to power was fueled by a younger generation with a distinctive philosophical outlook. Put starkly: If only Americans 45 and over had cast ballots in 2008, Barack Obama would not be president.”

Yes, let me admit that given the nature of our politics over the last half a year and our current trajectory, we may have a rough time getting young people engaged a year from now, at least at the rate that we would prefer. (Or we may not -- a year is a long time, and quite a bit can happen.)

If I'm to put my Republican long-term strategist glasses on though, the bold part of the quote above is anathema to what I'm trying to do. The functionalist tendency of the GOP these days keeps it from repairing those relationships with young people. When party leadership and those in the party attempt to disengage a certain group of people from the political process to suit their short-term needs, how do they turn around and preach the importance of involving young people in their party structure? Quite simply, they can't. At least not credibly.

That is why only 6 out of every 100 voters aged 18-29 likes the GOP.