"Vouchers are bad--I feel vouchers are very bad," Stad said. "Vouchers take money from public schools. Let's not even talk about vouchers--let's talk about public education," he continued.

As Harvard students tend to vote Democratic, most members of the enthusiastic audience appeared to support the Gore surrogates. Repeatedly, after the Republican debaters gave their answers, snickers and snorts--originated in the crowd--often flew their way.

But during a question-and-answer session, most students asked serious questions.

A student raised the question of environmental planning, asking representatives of both parties for specific things they would do to improve the environment.

While Brinton said that Texas was ranked number one in the country in reducing pollution levels, Stad responded with numbers of his own, saying the state was in fact ranked first in terms of air pollution overall.

"The only thing that I know Texas ranks number one in, in terms of the environment, is being really bad," Stad said.

The scandal involving President Clinton was also fodder for discussion.