In the 2000 presidential campaign, education has become a buzzword.

Republican candidate George W. Bush is hoping to refashion himself as a compassionate conservative by taking a more moderate stance on education than other Republicans. Democratic candidate Al Gore '69 is simply trumpeting the Clinton administration policies.

But neither candidate is going out on a limb. Experts say each candidate's proposals closely resemble the other's--and the current administration's policies.

And neither has offered comprehensive higher education plan.

Higher education analysts expect Bush and Gore to develop more detailed policies over the next four months. They say, however, they are wary that these plans will be as slick and glittery as the two presumptive nominee's political machines.

Not Much on Higher Ed

Overall, Bush and Gore have made few concrete proposals about higher education. Most of their statements thus far have focused on elementary and secondary schools.

"They seem far more focused on K-12," says Don Stewart, a higher education expert at the Carnegie Corporation of New York, a grantmaking foundation. "I haven't really seen a coherent policy statement" about higher education.