But sitting in the UH Campus Center yesterday watching the first debate between the Republican president and his Democratic opponent, Sen. John Kerry, she is not sure what she will do. The reason? Iraq.

"I'm so concerned about the war," said Gonzalez, 20. "I really want to see it resolved. Right now, I'm not sure which one of them will do a better job."

Among political partisans, or people who have already made up their minds, the presidential debates are unlikely to sway many opinions, as people hear what they want to hear to validate their choices.

But for undecided voters like Gonzalez, the debates can be crucial, the first chance to listen to the candidates outside carefully managed political conventions or scripted campaign events. They are looking for something to help them choose, from style and confidence to the ability to thoughtfully answer tough questions under pressure. Maybe more importantly, they are trying to tell which candidate seems more presidential.

Chaminade students Kevin Littlejohn and Lydia Coffin last night watched the first presidential debate at Iben Hall. Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser

Kevin Littlejohn, 36, who is studying law at Chaminade, said Kerry seemed more direct and comfortable. "He was more precise and took the opportunity to get in more jabs," he said. "I think Bush was more about convincing people he was right on the war."

Tiger Fang, 18, who is studying international business at UH, said he came into the debate with the impression that Kerry was indecisive. Yet he thought the Massachusetts senator was well-prepared and forceful.

"I've been thinking that it might not be such a good idea to change presidents in the middle of a war," he said. "But I'm kind of still undecided."

Sharyn Graf, 19, a psychology major at UH, said she is leaning toward Kerry but found it helpful to hear Bush defend his decisions in Iraq. She said she wished both men were more specific about what they would do to end the conflict.

"It was more about what happened in the past than what they would do in the future," she said.

Some students were relieved that the candidates for the most part avoided the negative attacks that have dominated political television commercials over the past several weeks.

But Gonzalez said she found it tiresome that Bush frequently painted Kerry as a man who changes his opinion too often. "He used it a lot as a defense instead of answering the questions," she said.

Cheri Loughran, 21, a meteorology student at UH, said she was put off when Kerry minimized the support of the other countries that have joined the United States in Iraq. "He was belittling the countries that have made contributions," she said. "How are we supposed to get support from other countries when he says things like that?"

Loughran is leaning toward Bush but wants to see the other debates before committing.

Lydia Coffin, a criminal justice major at Chaminade, also wants to hear more, although she is leaning toward Kerry. "It will be interesting to hear about the economy and other domestic issues," she said. "I think a lot of people are looking for a clear-cut, 'This is what I'm going to do.'"