'The Debate Is Really Moving To the Center'

Here are excerpts from Staff Writer Joetta L. Sack's March 9, 2001, interview with Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman, D-Conn., about his education proposal and future plans. The interview took place in his Capitol Hill office.

Q. Why did the New Democrats decide to delve into education policy?

A. I got into it myself for a couple reasons. The first was, and it's hard to say this without sounding trite, but the education of our children is so central to the future of our country and the future of our economy and the future of our children, and with that, the fact that it is clear that a lot of our schools are not adequately educating our children. Even though I'm not on the education committee, education looms large in our future, and the shortcomings of our education system are...