Thrice during last Thursday's debate did McCain make unsolicited pleas for the hearts of younger voters.

"We're going to have young men and women involved again in the political process instead of become cynical and alienated, and I believe that I can motivate them to do so," he said early on.

Then, later, he expanded on this view.

"Young Americas are cynical. I want to head the closing of the breach between the government and the people. The young people feel that we do not represent them. I want to restore faith in government," he said.

Republicans have always had a tough time talking to younger voters, and they know this is a problem.

Federal voting statistics show that young people are consistently the most-underrepresented age demographic at the polls.

In 1996, only 16 percent of 18- to 20-year-olds voted. That's compared with more than 59 percent of voters aged 45 to 59.

The 84 percent who don't vote are a prized constituency, often pitched to in larger proportion than their voting power may warrant.

Particularly troubling for Republicans is the Democrats' tendency to better attract the youth vote, as younger people tend to be more liberal.

But there are notable exceptions.

Young Republican voters were out in force last Thursday, sharing in a semi-spontaneous cheering festival for their candidates in the large parking lot behind WMUR-TV in Manchester.

To be sure, many were bused in from Massachusetts. The Steve Forbes campaign paid for the bright orange shirts won by dozens of young partisans. McCain and Bush threw pizza parties for their young supporters.

McCain's campaign paid for the buses that brought students up to the debate, though campaign workers asked for a "donation" to help defray the cost of the ride.

Clearly, candidates are eager to court youth voters, and even more important, eager to appear popular with a younger crowd. Candidates who have young and vigorous supporters may appear young and vigorous themselves.

Thursday night, Bush's supporters blasted rock music, and Forbes's supporters formed an impromptu mosh pit in front of their chartered bus.