Moore says the speaking tour isn't about lining his pocketbook, but getting 56 percent of the voting public to cast their vote Nov. 2 — something that has not happened since 1968.

And he wants them to vote for anyone but President Bush.

"I want everyone in their teens and 20s who exist from one packet of Ramen noodles to the next bag of Tostitos to take your fully justified cynicism and toss it like a Molotov right into the middle of this election," Moore said in a statement.

"If only a few thousand of you vote, it could make all the difference. You literally hold all the power in your hands. That's even cooler than holding a TV remote."

Still, Moore's critics are quick to say the filmmaker is padding his pockets with limited student funds, despite the fact that "Fahrenheit 9/11" has made more than $115 million, making it the highest-grossing documentary ever.

"What's so ironic is (that) he's a multimillionaire," conservative talk show host Sean Hannity told the Deseret Morning News. "He doesn't need the money."

In an attempt to counter Moore's liberal views, Hannity will speak to UVSC students on Oct. 11. As of Tuesday, nearly 3,000 tickets had been sold to that event.

Hannity usually gets paid $100,000 per speaking engagement. He has waived any speaking fees, and GOP gubernatorial candidate Jon Huntsman Jr. will help pay his travel costs, which are estimated at $25,000.

But some students aren't just worried about Moore's price tag, which will be covered by ticket sales and donations.

Since Moore claims to be visiting only swing voter states on his tour, which wraps up in Florida on Election Day, his visit to conservative Utah County seems questionable, UVSC junior Sophie Gubernick said.

"Pure and simple, he's doing it for the controversy, and because we wrote him a check," she said. "I'd rather they just divide his pay and give my share to me."

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E-mail: lwarner@desnews.com