So far, though, people aren't that excited about the campaign, as far as Bertrand can tell.

"It's not close enough to the election yet," said the Dudley House affiliate, who is working this summer as a social worker for a Central Square agency.

Gerg P. Long, 22, lives in Dorchester but is working part time as a parking attendant at a lot between Harvard and Central Squares. From his post inside the booth at the lot's entrance, Long says he plans to vote for Bush.

A strong antiabortion stance is one reason Long supports the incumbent president. Long also cites Bush's foreign policy experience.

Still, Long is less than enthusiastic about the choices this election year, calling Bush "the lesser of two evils."

Long, who recently graduated from Westfield State College and will be attending Suffolk Law School in September, says his peers have a new interest in politics, perhaps sparked by the unorthodox campaign of Texas billionaire Perot.

"We're all talking about it," says Long, who voted for Bush in 1988.

Long like several other voters, has some harsh words for the press.

"I really think they've crossed the boundaries," he says. "Reporters are just out to publicize themselves."

Cynicism, anger and disgust are the buzzwords of this political season and Robbie--who doesn't want to give her last name--is no exception.

"A politician is liar...what can you say?" the woman in her thirties asks over lunch at Popeye's in Central Square. She describes herself as "fed up."

Still, Robbie, who lives in Roxbury and works in Cambridge for the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, says she is willing to give Clinton a try.

A Democrat who voted for then-Gov. Michael S. Dukakis in 1988, Robbie says she is "tired of Bush" and is "looking for a change."

She also supports Clinton because of his pro-choice position on abortion.

Robbie's frustration is shared by Joseph V. O'Neill, 70, who stands outside an apartment building near Inman Square.