Assuming that the Republicans remain mum on overhauling education policy (addressing those most pressing higher ed concerns to college students and recent graduates), the GOP could potentially connect with young people on the national deficit issue.
The deficit issue, in the abstract, resonates with young voters because they realize the magnitude of the debt we are inheriting. Many politically thoughtful young people viewed President Obama's inaction on the bipartisan Simpson-Bowles commission's recommendations as a missed opportunity.
Still, in my estimation, the fight for the soul of America will be a far more personal, bread and butter, populist one. In this political climate, the economic plight and pocketbooks of individual citizens rival the nation's debt clock. And heart, I am convinced, trumps numbers. (As I argued last year on RealClearPolitics, that's not so different from every presidential contest since 1960.)
At some point soon, the Republicans will recognize that in order to ouster President Obama, they will have to wage a campaign on behalf of the 99%. Nate Silver of the New York Times agrees with us.
So beyond charting a populist course, Republicans can also appeal to young people's civic obligations...without patronizing them. Even though it's likely not in their best interest if youth turnout increases this fall, the GOP will accomplish two things by promoting youth engagement and student voting. They will sway a handful of voters who are persuaded by their outreach, and *more important* they will modernize the party to be more viable beyond this cycle.
Wesley: Among the remaining Republican candidates, is Santorum the only one could effectively claim the populist mantle?
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