Many observers wondered if I would be able to stand my ground as a Democrat on Fox News during my debate with Rand Paul yesterday.
In the middle of the debate, Chris Wallace even challenged me for supporting progressive policies in the Daily Kos Orange to Blue questionnaire and signing the MoveOn.org Pledge to Fight Washington Corruption.
I said something that I think surprised him: “Look, I'm a Democrat, and I'm a proud Democrat.”
I told Wallace that I would fight discrimination and policies that allow for it. Discrimination is wrong, and it hurts people.
That's true when Rand Paul says we shouldn't have the Americans with Disabilities Act or the Civil Rights Act.
While Rand tried to distract us from his radical positions on these issues, he continued to push for the destruction of Medicare and Social Security – two of the most successful and effective things government has ever done for Kentuckians. Rand reiterated that he believed we can raise the retirement age and drop benefits for Social Security, and he still thinks seniors should be burdened with an extra $2,000 deductible for Medicare.
I will fight to protect Social Security and Medicare in the United States Senate, and I hope you join me in telling Rand that his positions do not represent Kentucky.
I will fight Rand Paul’s attacks on Social Security and Medicare, and if Rand Paul and his allies like Sarah Palin, and former George Bush adviser Karl Rove think I'm not going to stand my ground under their pressure, they're going to be in for a rude surprise this November. Please let us know what you thought of the debate.
UPDATE: A new video released today shows Rand Paul repeatedly supporting a $2,000 Medicare deductible despite his claims just last week that such a statement was a "lie."