MIAMI, Florida (CNN) -- Reaching out to young Americans at MTV's Video Music Awards Sunday night, the daughters of President Bush and his Democratic challenger Sen. John Kerry were met by loud cheers and jeers.
It was unclear exactly whom the cheers and the boos were meant for or why. They began immediately after radio and MTV personality Carson Daly introduced "from New York, Barbara and Jenna Bush and here in Miami, Vanessa and Alexandra Kerry."
The Kerry daughters were at the event at the American Airlines Arena; the Bush daughters appeared in a pre-recorded video.
"My sister and I are thrilled to be here tonight with you all in Florida," said Vanessa Kerry, "and to get this chance to suggest that you get involved in this election and vote -- and hopefully that you vote for our father."
MTV cameras showed some audience members apparently giving the women a standing ovation, but the mixture of boos and cheers continued.
Alexandra Kerry added that millions of young Americans can help determine the November election, "but we appreciate that in our democracy people are free to feel differently about who they vote for."
The Kerry daughters then turned around to watch, along with the MTV audience, the video of the Bush daughters.
"Hey Alexandra and Vanessa, and hey to everyone at the VMAs," said Barbara Bush.
"Jenna and I really wish we could be there, but we're in New York this week to support our dad and, as you might have guessed, we want to suggest that you vote for him in November." (Special report: America Votes 2004, the Republican convention)
Jenna Bush said, "We can all agree on the importance of voting."
MTV's broadcast turned down sounds of the audience during the playing of the video, but the vocal audience could still be heard.
The Bush twins are 22 years old. Vanessa Kerry is 27; Alexandra turns 31 on Sunday.
The boos seemed to die down and cheers took their place toward the end of the segment, when the Kerry daughters took back the floor and encouraged people to support victims of Hurricane Charley, which devastated portions of Florida earlier this month.
Vanessa Kerry said, "Despite our differences, we all agree this election and this process are important. And we all agree that all of us are part of a greater American family."
Speaking to CNN afterward, Vanessa Kerry said the booing had "scared" her, but added, "We're fighting for something so strongly, I will go up there and hear the whole arena boo if it means connecting with one person."
She also said it was "surreal" to appear at the VMAs, known for having one of the most energetic and responsive crowds of any awards show.
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