Republican presidential candidate Texas Gov. George W. Bush gestures during last night's debate. (AP Photo)After the third presidential debate last night, eight undecided voters in a Herald focus group had made up their minds this way: Al Gore 4; George W. Bush 3, and one for Harry Browne, the Libertarian.

The focus group was conducted by Herald pollster R. Kelly Myers of RKM Research and Communications.

Some voters made their choices based on a gut feeling about who they liked best as a person, including a Bush-leaner, Sam Dehoyas, an engineering control planner from Lawrence.

I can't seem to get myself to like Gore - I think he's too arrogant and bullyish and he looks like he's got sneaky tactics, Dehoyas said. Bush is naive enough to push for results and he would be persistent enough to get results.

Another Bush-leaner, Albert Ash, a Quincy contractor, said, After observing three debates the vice-president demonstrated he is a pushy person on every opportunity he had. I would't trust the country in his hands. On the other hand, Bush is cool and calm, and knows his subject matter and has the ability to make decisions based on reason.

Bush was just too wishy-washy and vacillating, said Ellen Epro, an occupation reimbursement analyst from Stoughton. Gore didn't show me anything different from the first two debates but he had a more positive stance than Bush. He just carried himself a lot better and with so much more finesse.

Dorchester musician Rick Kuethe said he was leaning Gore before last night, and Gore's performance clinched his vote.

I thought Gore had Bush on the run a lot and Bush evaded things, Kuethe said. Gore was very confident, and well-thought-out and he didn't talk in cliches, which Bush always does. Bush makes me nervous with his nervous little laugh. He doesn't even have good posture, the way he slinks around the stage. I can't imagine looking at this guy for four years.

Meanwhile, a Bush-leaner did not appreciate Gore's debate tactics.

It seemed like he had a tendency not to stick to the rules of debate, said Jay Lown, a medical sales rep from Newton. I like Bush's demeanor. He's more mild-mannered and seems to have a better presence.

A couple of voters who were leaning Gore after the second debate thought Gore's performance last night was mediocre.

Neither candidate broke new ground, and both avoided questions, especially on how they could get young people more involved, Weinberg said. Bush avoided questions on affirmative action. When Gore asked him straight out he just avoided it. I'm leaning Gore, but this debate didn't push me more toward Gore.

Groveland graphic designer Janice Littrell said Bush caught her attention last night, but she still is leaning Gore.

I have to admit I found myself agreeing with Bush more then previously, Littrell said. Like when he talked about why he wants to reduce the size of government and give more back to the people, and when he talked about tax rebates and controlling your own Social Security money. At least he added a little more meat to that issue but not enough to make me think it's going to work.

Bush's lack of experience in foreign policy is a major concern, Littrell said.

Neither candidate impressed Robert Beck, a Groton family physician, who made up his mind to vote for Libertarian nominee Browne.

This one was the most fun to watch and both candidates had their best debate except Gore seemed untrustworthy and didn't answer the audience's questions, Beck said. Bush was almost too laid back, but he did try to answer more directly. Bush is kind of Reaganesque. I think he's a figurehead for the oil companies or pharmaceuticals.