MARIA MENOUNOS reporting:

Young Republican activists like Brian Smith say they are not giving up the fight for young voters who thus far have been crucial to Barack Obama's success.

Mr. BRIAN SMITH: What we find important--individual liberty, national security, you know, limited government--are still going to be the same, but the approach is going to be different.

MENOUNOS: Ross Douthat and Reihan Salam, both 28, agree, they're among the youngest thinkers looking for that new approach to the grand old party, saying the old Republican message doesn't work today.

Mr. REIHAN SALAM: We can make government more responsive. We want you to have ownership of government.

MENOUNOS: Looking to re-cast the GOP message in new terms, these young Republicans want to secure the working class and pivotal new voters by focusing on kitchen table issues like tax breaks for young families as opposed to handouts, arguing government spending is OK as long as it's productive.

Mr. ROSS DOUTHAT: Conservative politicians have to readjust and move to address the challenges facing America today.

Mr. SALAM: If the Republican Party doesn't wise up and start talking about those issues that matter urgently now to young families, they're going to be extinct. LINK to video