The Front Lines.

• Position: Teenage campaign volunteers - Brief Article

Behind any successful political campaign stands an army of teenage volunteers. Work for free? Why?

The Presidential candidates jousting in New Hampshire's February 1 primary have a secret weapon: teens behind the scenes. Campaigns rely on young volunteers to do everything from phoning to door-to-door canvassing. In exchange, volunteers get to play a pivotal role in choosing our nation's leader. UPFRONT talked with five teens now working for candidates to find out what they're up to and why.

CATHERINE LAFERRIERE, 16, of Manchester, New Hampshire, who works for former Sen. Bill Bradley (D-N.J.):

The local Bradley coordinators called and asked for my parents. I told them they could speak to my parents, but only after they spoke to me. I said I wanted to get involved, and they were more than willing to have me come down. They want volunteers-even if you can only go in and give them 15 minutes, because teenagers have such crazy lives. Two friends and I were going around the back streets of Goffstown, New Hampshire, knocking on people's doors and talking to them about Bill Bradley. One lady opened her door, saw the pins I was wearing, and said, "You don't even have to talk to me, I'm already voting for him!" That was very encouraging.

MATTHEW PAUL, 18, of Weare, New Hampshire, who works for Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.):

Every little bit helps. Although I may just be a drop in the bucket of the primary, every job counts. I've always been interested in what's going on. I'm kinda weird; I watch CNN and stuff. I like the fact that McCain will sometimes break with his party and stand up for what he believes in. When I heard him speak, I asked him a question about China; afterwards, I met him, and he thanked me for the question. I see myself running for office someday, probably on the local level rather than the national level. I want to make a difference.

LEE HERMAN, 17, of Manchester...