Former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson, who has been critical of the No Child Left Behind Act in the past, this week reiterated his disapproval of the federal education law -- which, by the way, he voted for when it passed Congress in 2001.

During a presidential campaign stop in Iowa on Tuesday, the Republican told potential voters that he voted for NCLB in a “triumph of hope,” according to a story that appeared Wednesday in the Quad-City Times, even though “experience” may have suggested he should vote against the bill.

So what would he do to change the law if elected? Well, he’s not very specific. However, he did profess support for vouchers and charter schools as alternatives to traditional public schools. He’s most concerned, though, that states have relaxed standards so they can boost the number of children who pass tests. According to the newspaper, Thompson said he prefers a block grant program to send money to states that set “objective standards.”

Of course, objectivity is in the eye of the beholder.