George W. Bush won't arrive in New England until later this week, but students on both sides of the campus political scene are already gearing up for his presidential campaign.

While the Students for George W. Bush are in their nascent stages, the College Democrats have already begun a "George W. Bush Education Campaign."

College Democrats President Joseph N. Sanberg '01 said the purpose of the campaign is to educate students about Bush and to demonstrate the role students will play in Bush's plans.

"First, it's to educate the students on what George W. Bush actually stands for, behind his veil of compassionate conservatism," Sanberg said. "Second, it's to show the Democrats as the party that represents student concerns."

The College Democrats began the campaign at its first general meeting, distributing flyers that detailed Bush's campaign proposals and his record as governor of Texas.

"We want to show that, while Bush tries to move away rhetorically from the Republican Congress, in his campaign he is very close to the Republicans," Sanberg said.

Soon, the College Democrats will be tabling in front of the Science Center and distributing flyers about Bush's education proposals. The group is also planning a November event to discuss gun control in the context of the upcoming presidential election, said Sanberg.

The Students for George W. Bush, whose founding parallels the creation of similar groups supporting Democratic candidates Al Gore '69 and Bill Bradley, is an affiliate of the College Republicans. The new group has drawn about 20 people to its first two meetings.