MANCHESTER, N.H. -- Call it the "mosh pit" debate.

In the final Republican presidential debate before next week's primaries, Gary Bauer criticized fellow conservative Alan Keyes Wednesday night for falling into a mosh pit. Keyes defended it as showing trust in his fellow citizens.

REPUBLICAN DEBATE WHO: Gary Bauer, George W. Bush, Steve Forbes, Alan Keyes, John McCain. WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 26, 7-8:30 p.m. EST. WHERE: WMUR studio, Manchester, N.H. MODERATOR: CNN's Judy Woodruff and WMUR's Tom Griffith. SPONSORS: WMUR-TV and CNN. MORE COVERAGE Bush, McCain spar on taxes, education Truth Squad: Having it two ways in GOP debate Keyes criticized for falling into mosh pit Candidates detail views of government-funded 'Net access Causes vie to be heard on street Crowds, cars create chaos in town Excerpts from the debate Democratic debate

"That exemplified the kind of trust in people," said Keyes.

The roots began Sunday just before the leadoff Iowa caucuses when Keyes attended a "Renewing America" rally and leapt into the mosh pit at the urging of his daughter. Political satirist Michael Moore had promised the endorsement of his political cable program to the first candidate who would jump into a mosh pit.

A mosh pit is a crowd of people, typically just in front of the stage, who catch a performer who jumps into the crowd.

"Admittedly, I was willing to fall into the mosh pit," Keyes conceded, drawing heavy laughter from hundreds of reporters watching in a room nearby.

Bauer took offense, saying the move wasn't dignified.

"Nobody made you jump in the mosh pit," he said.

Rejecting the argument, Keyes related the first comment he had heard from someone in the crowd who told him, "You're the only person I've seen dive into a mosh pit and come out with your tie straight."

Besides, Keyes argued that he has no trouble at all with dignity.

"You can carry that dignity with you and no one can take it away," he said.