AMHERST, N.H. -- The final question in Tuesday night's presidential debate came from a New Hampshire woman.

Moderator Tom Brokaw described the question from "Peggy," of Amherst, N.H., as having a "certain, Zen-like quality." She asked Democratic Sen. Barack Obama and Republican Sen. John McCain what they don't know and how they will learn it.

The question was submitted by Peggy Silva, a writing coordinator at Souhegan High School. She said that it wasn't the first time she has asked it.

"It's a question I've asked for 18 years to every candidate as they come through Amherst," she said. "And I ask it specifically because I'm looking for questions that will allow me to connect with candidates."

Silva asked McCain the same question in 2000. It stumped him then, and Silva said she didn't think the candidates did that well this time.

"Neither one used it in a way I would have liked them to," she said. "It wasn't a format that allowed for a pause and a thoughtful reply."

Both candidates used the question as an opportunity to sum up their platforms in closing statements.

"My wife Michelle is there, and she could give you a much longer list than I could," Obama said. "And most of the time, I learn it from asking her."

"I think what I don't know is what all of us don't know, and that's what's going to happen both here at home and abroad," McCain said.

Although Brokaw described the question as Zen-like, Silva said that she tends to be chaotic and disorganized. She said that she does believe in honest answers.

"I don't know so many things, and I've learned them from people and listening really hard," she said. "I don't know how long this fame will last, but I do know I'm having a good time with it."

Silva said she had no idea NBC would choose the question she e-mailed weeks ago.