Young people are not satisfied with the current Washington leadership and President Obama’s handling of youth unemployment, according to a new poll conducted by the polling company, inc./womantrend on behalf of a nonprofit youth mobilization organization called Generation Opportunity.

The poll, which has not yet been reported on, found that 69 percent of Americans between the ages of 18 and 29 say that the current leadership in Washington fails to serve the younger generation. In addition, only 31 percent approve of the president’s handling of youth unemployment.

It also found that there is widespread frustration over economic issues among young adults. 77 percent indicated that they would delay a major economic purchase, such as buying a home, paying off student loans, starting a family, or going back to school.

This dissatisfaction with the economy may also be translating into dissatisfaction with the federal government. 76 percent of respondents indicated that they’d like to see federal government reduced in size. And 69 percent say the federal government should start making spending sacrifices.

“These are Americans who are looking for jobs, they want to get on with their lives, and they’re impatient … the frustration is palpable.” Paul T. Conway, the president of Generation Opportunity and former chief of staff for the U.S. Department of Labor, told me during a phone interview this morning.

And that frustration may have political implications in 2012. The poll found that 57 percent say they’ll be looking more closely at the policy positions of the candidates during the 2012 election than they did in 2008. And 61 percent say that a candidate’s position on issues and record in office will be the most important consideration before they cast their vote.

Does that mean the Republicans may have a chance to gain ground with the youth vote if they focus on presenting viable economic solutions? According to Conway, this may not be as far-fetched as some on the left believe. “This demographic is not owned by either political party,” he told me. “And the presumption that this demographic will go in lock step for one candidate or another is flawed.”

Generation Opportunity will be rolling out the results of their poll over the coming weeks, and it’s sure to include more interesting data on the mindset of younger voters.