Ben Sasse on Social Security

Privatization in some form, but exempt older people

A: Ben Sasse said he could support some form of means testing as part of a broader package: "When the Congress has overpromised, we should make sure that the poorest and sickest among us are taken care of first," Sasse said, stressing that he would exempt older individuals from any changes. Sasse said he would protect those within a decade of retirement. Sasse endorsed some form of privatization.

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.