Despite rumors and tentative plans, Republican presidential nominee George W. Bush will not be making an appearance at Notre Dame prior to the Nov. 7 elections.

"With a political campaign, nothing is confirmed until it happens," said Dennis Moore, director of public relations. "They looked at their numbers in Pennsylvania and decided that they needed to be there."

Moore said the University learned about the change of plans only recently.

"We were attempting to finalize a date when they decided not to come," he said. "It's not an unusual happenstance."

Bush and Democratic presidential nominee Al Gore received invitations to speak on campus from Edward Malloy, University president, after their respective conventions. Prominent alumni involved in the campaigns were alerted of the invitations in hopes of influencing the candidates. Although Gore has yet to confirm an appearance, Moore said a visit is still possible.

The University extended invitations to the nominees to inform the student body of their respective platforms.

"It gives us the opportunity for people in the campus community to actually see and hear the candidates in the flesh," Moore said.

The University has a history of inviting presidential candidates to campus, including Dwight D. Eisenhower, Jimmy Carter, George Bush and Bill Clinton.

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