BY tapping Sen. Joseph Lieberman as his running mate, did Al Gore steer the Democratic ticket to the center – or Lieberman to the left?

Now that he’s teamed with Gore, Lieberman has suddenly switched to the conventional Democratic wisdom on a number of key issues.

Social Security

Before Gore: “Individual control of part of the Social Security-retirement funds has to happen.” (1998)

Now: “I turned away from privatization because the promises and the numbers supporting them don’t add up.”

School Choice

Before Gore: Voted four times for a federal pilot-voucher program (1992, 1994, 1996, 1998). Said vouchers were warranted because the public schools had “failed to innovate.”

Now: Dropped vouchers from his education bill. Now supports only expanding charter schools.

Affirmative Action

Before Gore: Speaking about California’s Civil Rights Initiative, which outlawed government preferences based on race or gender: “I can’t see how I could be opposed to it. It basically is a statement of American values.” (1996)

Now: His staff is publicizing the fact that he has voted many times in favor of preferences.

Moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel

Before Gore: Led opposition to Clinton-Gore decision to hold off on moving the embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv. (1999)

Now: “I think it would not be a good idea to do that [move the embassy now].”