invited to
By MAUREEN SMITHE
Assistant News Editor
Continuing a tradition initiated by Father Theodore Hesburgh in 1953, Notre Dame president Father Edward Malloy invited Democratic presidential nominee Al Gore and Republican presidential nominee George W. Bush to campus, offering the University as a forum for speeches and presentations. However, due to constantly changing schedules, both candidates have yet to accept or decline the invitation.
Malloy believes the University is an ideal place for both to present their opinions. "It is a place where they can address a certain part of the electorate," Malloy said. "The chances are high that both will come to the campus."
Malloy commented that if both candidates agreed to come, they would not have a debate, but rather the event would be in a forum setting. "There are certain campuses that have already submitted applications to be sites of presidential debates. All that would happen here is one candidate at a time would give a presentation," he said.
Depending on how and where their visits would be presented, Malloy said the speeches might be closed off to the general public to give as many Notre Dame students as possible the opportunity to witness history in the making.
"I hope that all of us can have a more extensive interest in the world around us," he said. "It encourages the Notre Dame community to get interested in political issues of the time."
Student government representatives agree with Malloy. "I think it's a great idea because Notre Dame is one of the leading institutions of higher learning in the country. We have a student body that takes an active interest. Having both nominees here is an educational opportunity," said Jay Smith, student body chief of staff.
Past elections have brought candidates to Notre Dame. In 1952, Republican Dwight Eisenhower and his Democratic opponent Adiai Stevenson spoke at the University, and in nearly every election since, candidates have made stops. Nominees including Richard Nixon in 1956, Henry Cabot Lodge in 1960, William Miller in 1964, Edmund Muskie in 1968, Sargent Shriver in 1972, and running mates Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale in 1976 have all included Notre Dame in their campaign tours. George Bush spoke at the University in 1988, followed by Bill Clinton in 1992.
All News Stories for Wednesday, September 6, 2000
