However, the CPD decided that the seats could only go to members of the candidates' immediate families, and McCain is not related to the Texas governor.

"It would not be fair to have campaign surrogates in the family seats," a senior CPD official said. "It becomes a contest over who can get the bigger and more prominent name sitting in their box."

As of press time, the CPD could not confirm whether the Gore campaign had objected to McCain's attendance.

In an interview yesterday, McCain laughed off the miniature imbroglio. "I didn't know I mattered that much," he said.

McCain will campaign with Bush at events later this week, including a stop in the battleground state of New Hampshire.

"Senator McCain and Governor Bush are looking forward to campaigning with each other," said Ken Lisaius, a spokesperson for Bush.

In part because of the McCain visit, the IOP offices in Littauer Hall were a whirlwind of activity last night. In addition to the last minute McCain visit and the Yew speech, the IOP held a Forum on campaign advertising and a presidential debate-watching party on the big screen.

"It's a little crazy here today," said Eugene Krupitsky, chair of the IOP Fellows Committee.