That generation, now in their teens and 20s and making their voices heard on college campuses, exhibits a much greater interest in mainstream politics and government service than do the baby boom generation, which is generally distrustful of government and institutions, or Generation X, which isn't much attracted to politics at all and has a problem making commitments, he said.

"Gen-Xers have the lowest voter participation rates of any generation and the lowest rates when it comes to joining political parties," Howe said.

Bennett says he works hard to understand young people, and he has 18 grandchildren who remind him of his responsibility to the younger generations. To bridge the generation gap, he holds town meetings on college campuses, meets regularly with high school students and listens closely to his interns.

Hatch might appear to be more in tune with younger voters, hobnobbing with the likes of U2 vocalist Bono and getting his mug in a recent issue of Rolling Stone for his work on copyright legislation.

But he insists age is not a factor in his ability to serve.

"Well, it's true I didn't buy the latest Usher CD, but I don't think Utahns, young or old, really care about the age of their leaders," Hatch said. "I travel the state constantly and talk to Utahns of all ages, creeds and colors, and I don't think there's an issue or concern I haven't become familiar with."

Besides, he adds, experience and temperament are traits that benefit all Utahns.

"I've still got as much energy and enthusiasm for this job as I did when I first ran for office. Just ask anyone," he said. "There is simply too much that needs to be done — helping Utahns get better health care, fundamental tax reform, supporting the war on terror — for me to leave just yet."

World views

The world view of those generations is radically different from that of Bennett and Hatch. Both senators were born in the early 1930s — too young for World War II and too old for the consciousness revolution of the 1960s.

They are, however, among a cadre of leaders to emerge whose values were shaped by the values of the 1940s and 1950s and therefore represent a shrinking minority in the Senate.

Part of the reason there are 21 senators age 70 and older, Howe said, is because of increased longevity and healthier lifestyles, particularly in Utah. But part of it is that the younger generations have not pushed the older generation out.

"Yes, they (they Hatch-Bennett generation) are declining, and yes, they are sticking around," Howe said. "They are a generation that believes in serving institutions, and they believe the system can be reformed."

And there probably won't be a serious effort to push them out of the Senate anytime soon.

"I suspect that even in Utah that boomers will not be suddenly drawn to service in government, and you will find Gen-Xers will never be dominant politically. Once a generation comes of age, their basic world view doesn't change much," he said.

And that leaves the next generation of great leaders to come from the Millennial Generation. But they have to be 35 to run for the Senate — still another decade away.

"There are signs of change on the horizon," Howe said.

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E-mail: spang@desnews.com