2014 NE Senate debate: on Social Security

Dave Domina: It's not an entitlement; and it shouldn't be privatized

A: Domina said Social Security's earning cap is too low. He said Social Security should not be called an "entitlement" and the program should not be cut or privatized. "It is a promise that was made to the people of the United States," Domina said. "It was earned by many who count on it. It must be protected."

Dave Domina: Keep promises made to the elderly

It was the first official meeting since the primary election between Democrat Dave Domina and Republican Ben Sasse. The forum at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln was held in front of high school juniors attending American Legion Cornhusker Boys and Girls State.

Domina, a lawyer, said his campaign will focus on keeping promises made to veterans, the elderly and others through programs such as Social Security, Medicare and veterans' benefits plans. "We have sharp differences, Mr. Sasse and I, on each and every one of those points," Domina said.

Sasse, the president of Midland University, said politicians have overpromised, and it's time to talk about how those promises "fundamentally didn't add up."

Ben Sasse: Entitlement reform needed: guilty of generational theft

The candidates were asked how they would work with Democrats to reduce the deficit. Sasse, a former top health and human services aide under President George W. Bush, said both Democrats and Republicans in Washington have to understand that much of the nation's debt is the result of the growth in entitlements. However, Sasse did not say what entitlements he would cut or how he would go about changing Social Security and Medicare. "We're guilty of generational theft," said Sasse, president of Midland University in Fremont.

Osborn also indicated that he would support entitlement changes, but he did not give any specifics.