By Joan Vennochi, Globe Columnist, 2/2/2000

n politics, as in life, there is a wave - a force that grabs you and carries you farther than you ever thought you could go. To catch the wave, you have to be tucked up tight in the curl, doing everything exactly right at a very precise moment in time. Arizona Senator John McCain just caught it in New Hampshire.

NEW HAMPSHIRE RESULTS Republican 98% of precincts reporting McCain 49% Bush 31% Forbes 13% Keyes 6% Bauer 1% Democrats 98% of precincts reporting Gore 52% Bradley 47% Percentages will not necessarily add to 100. FROM THE GLOBE Democrats fight to a close finish Independents turn GOP contest Contrarians speak up, leaders get wake up call Arizona senator has found strength in his weaknesses Independent voters say character was key to decision Why they voted the way they did Result no setback for Bush backer Cellucci Primary shows off NBC synergy Independents seen taking up the insurgents' fight Bauer, Keyes unbowed as they vow to soldier on Forbes hopes to make it a three-way race Bush campaign says it's ready to move on In Granite State diner, a final helping of politics First primary settled, campaigns mull new tactics On campaign trail, it's a frantic pace Vow of tenacity keeps Bradley's spirits high, focus keen For vice president's campaign, no letup in asking for votes NECN VIDEO Forbes praises McCain win, asks for more support Keyes will stay in race, despite big N.H. loss Gore wins the Democratic N.H. primary over Bradley Bradley greets voters at polls Will Bradley triumph? Turnout heavy in Granite State Can McCain pull off a victory? Gore makes a last minute effort These video clips are viewed using RealPlayer. Get RealPlayer | Help EARLIER COVERAGE Gore wins close race among Democrats McCain savors big win over Bush in GOP race True to tradition, N.H. tests front-runners McCain impressed voters as straight shooter GOP voters happier with candidates than in '96 Independents say character was key to vote Granite State voters have their say N.H. Secretary of State again predicts high turnout Keys to reading the New Hampshire returns Bradley, McCain win Dixville Notch, Hart's Location

Every presidential election surges forward on a different wave. In 1992, it was the economy. In 2000, it is conviction and authenticity.

A lack of both - not a lack of morality - turned Americans off to Bill Clinton. And if Clinton is perceived as overly political, poll-driven, and calculating, so is Vice President Al Gore. The fear is, so is Texas Governor George W. Bush.

The political establishment insists McCain can't win the Republican nomination: Bush has the money, the network, and Dad. But in New Hampshire, McCain and former Senator Bill Bradley had something more - people who are tired of the political establishment.

Thousands of reporters followed the candidates around New Hampshire. I was not one of them. I watched the primary like most Americans - catching snippets of TV news and parts of some debates, whenever I could make the switch from Nick at Nite to politics at night.

From that vantage point, the Granite State had little power. Its snowcapped peaks and quaint traditions could not seduce me into accepting the conventional wisdom about ''traction,'' ''electability,'' and ''inevitability.''

No matter what the pundits said, Gore seemed no different in khakis or jeans than he did in a suit. With Bush, the main impression continues to be of a man alternating between a wink and a squint, as he struggles to remember his homework assignment. Bradley is a tad self-righteous for my tastes.

I don't agree with McCain on abortion. I was disappointed when he played politics as usual with the Confederate flag. In short, I don't know if I could actually vote for him as president. But so far, I like him as a person, which is more than I can say about the rest of the field.

And I also know what I don't like - the feeling that an election is over before it begins, after only two states speak.

At the very least, the wave changes that.

Joan Vennochi is a Globe columnist.