NET ♪ ♪ ♪ GOOD EVENING, WELCOME TO KENTUCKY TONIGHT I'M RENEE SHAW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

OUR TOPIC TONIGHT: KENTUCKY’S RACE FOR THE U.S. SENATE.

FIVE WEEKS FROM TOMORROW, KENTUCKIANS WILL DECIDE WHETHER TO GIVE SENATOR RAND PAUL SIX MORE YEARS IN WASHINGTON, D.C. OR THEY WILL REPLACE HIM WITH OUR GUEST TONIGHT: CHARLES BOOKER, A FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE FROM LOUISVILLE, AND THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE FOR THE U.S. SENATE.

MR. BOOKER MET OUR CRITERIA TO APPEAR AND ACCEPT OUR INVITATION.

SENATOR PAUL WAS ALSO INVITED TO APPEAR THIS EVENING, BUT HE DID NOT RESPOND TO OUR INVITATION.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU.

SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS BY TWITTER@KYTONIGHT.KET.

SEND AN EMAIL TO KYTONIGHT@KET.ORG.

OR USE THE WEB FORM AT KET.

ORG/KYTONIGHT.

OR YOU CAN CALL 1-800-494-7605.

WELCOME TO ALL OUR GUESTS.

Mr. BOOKER, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE THIS EVENING AND WE'LL GET RIGHT TO IT.

AS YOU KNOW, KENTUCKY HAS AN ELECTED DEMOCRATIC U.S.

SENATOR SINCE 1992.

DONALD TRUMP EARNED 26 PERCENTAGE POINTS.

WON KENTUCKY BY THAT AMOUNT, MITCH McCONNELL WITHIN BOY 20.

VOTER RECOMMENDING STRA I GOES IN KENTUCKY, REPUBLICANS OUTNUMBER DEMOCRATS.

YOU HAVE SAID THAT YOU HAVE ENOUGH VOTERS BACKING YOU TO SHOCK THE WORLD QUOTE UNQUOTE AS YOU TRY TO BECOME KENTUCKY'S FIRST BLACK U.S.

SENATOR.

WHAT EVIDENCE DO YOU HAVE OF THAT?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, RENEE, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE CHANCE TO BE HERE.

IT'S A PRIVILEGE TO BE ON THIS PLATFORM.

KET IS A REAL BEDROCK FOR KENTUCKY, PROVIDING INFORMATION TO OUR COMMONWEALTH.

AND THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY DESERVE A LEADER WHO WILL SHOW UP, WHO WILL MAKE THE CASE FOR WHY THEY SHOULD BE REPRESENTING OUR COMMONWEALTH IN WASHINGTON.

RAND PAUL IS NOT HERE.

AND I KNOW THERE WILL BE PEOPLE WHO WILL WATCH AND THEY MAY NOT HAVE THOUGHT THAT THEY WERE GOING TO SUPPORT ME BEFORE THIS SHOW.

REGARDLESS OF THAT, EVERYONE SHOULD BE DISAPPOINTED THAT RAND PAUL DOES NOT CARE ENOUGH TO BE HERE.

WE WILL BEAT HIM IN NOVEMBER BECAUSE WE ARE BUILDING A COALITION FROM THE HOOD TO THE HOLLER OF FOLKS WHO HAVE FELT IGNORED, MARGINALIZED, FORGOTTEN ABOUT AND ABANDONED AND THAT'S NOT ABOUT PARTY.

THAT'S ABOUT HUMANITY, THE REALITY WHAT HAVE WE ARE SEEING IS THAT VOLUNTEERS ARE STEPPING UP ALL OVER KENTUCKY EVERY COUNTY, TENS OF THOUSANDS OF THEM, A LOT OF THOSE WHO VOTED FOR TRUMP OR NEVER VOTED BEFORE, THE REASON THEY ARE STEPPING UP WITH US NOW IS BECAUSE I'M LIFTING UP A VISION FOR THEM.

I'M SAYING THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY ARE THE PRIORITY THAT WE ARE NOT FOR SALE.

AND THAT WE DESERVE TO END POVERTY AND THAT OUR LIVES MATTER AND I'M PROUD OF THE WORK WE ARE BUILDING.

WE ARE BILLING A MOVEMENT TO WIN OUR FUTURE.

>> Renee: AND YOU BELIEVE THAT YOU HAVE A PATH TO VICTORY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

GLFER GIVEN.

>> Renee: GIFNT THE FACT THAT SENATOR PAUL HAS RAISED-- ANOTHER REPORT WILL COME OUT IN JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS CONSIDERING THE FINANCIALS, DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH RESOURCES TO ACTUALLY GET YOUR MESSAGE ACROSS AND BE VICTORIOUS ON ELECTION DAY?

>> WELL, THIS CAMPAIGN IS ABOUT THE PEOPLE AND BECAUSE OF THE ORGANIZING WORK THAT WE HAVE DONE ON THE GROUND OVER THE LAST YEAR PLUS, WE HAVE INSPIRED INFRASTRUCTURE THAT SURPASSES ANYTHING THAT CAN BE BOUGHT IN A PAID AD OR IN A PIECE OF LITERATURE SO, YES, IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE THE FUNDING NEEDED TO WIN A SENATE RACE WHICH IS WHY I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE RESOURCES THAT WE DO HAVE BUT IT'S ABOUT THE WORK THAT WE ARE BUILDING THAT INSPIRES ME.

WE HAVE SUPPORT IN COUNTIES ALL OVER THE COMMONWEALTH BECAUSE WE HAVE REACHED OUT AND SHOWED UP IN PLACES THAT RAND PAUL DOESN'T KNOW EXIST.

AND BECAUSE OF THIS WORK, WE ARE BUILDING A PATH NO TO THE JUST WIN AGAINST RAND PAUL BUT TO WIN DOWN BALLOT, TO WIN OUR FUTURE AND LOOK, THERE IS A LOT AT STAKE NOW.

THERE IS AN AMENDMENT ON THE BALLOT TO BAN ALL HEALTHCARE IN TERMS OF ABORTION SAYING THAT WOMEN, THOSE WHO BILL CLINTON PREGNANT WOULD BE SECOND CLASS PROPERTY AND STATE PROPERTY AND BIG GOVERNMENT RAND PAUL WANTS TO BAN ALL ACCESS TO MEDICALLY NECESSARY TREATMENT.

I'M SAYING RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE OF THAT HEINOUS ACT, NEW VOICES ARE ORGANIZING IN PIKE COUNTY AND PADUCAH, TAKING A STAND WITH US.

WE ARE GOING TO VOTE NO ON AMENDMENT 2 AND WE ARE GOING TO GO TO WASHINGTON AND WIN THE FUTURE WE NEED.

>> Renee: I WANT TO GET BACK TO ABORTION IN A MOMENT BUT YOU MENTION POLITICAL ADS, CAMPAIGN ADS.

I WANT TO REVISIT YOUR FIRST CAMPAIGN AD WHEN YOU CALL OUT SENATOR RAND PAUL FOR BLOCKING LEGISLATION IN 2020 THAT WOULD HAVE MADE LYNCHING A FEDERAL HATE CRIME.

YOU ARE FEATURED WITH A NOOSE AROUND YOUR NECK AND MANY, EVEN YOUR SUPPORTERS THOUGHT THAT AD WENT TOO FAR WITH THAT IMAGERY.

AND THEY ARGUED THAT YOU RESORTED TO THE SAME TYPE OF DISTASTEFUL POLITICAL MESSAGING THAT YOU ACCUSE YOUR OPPONENT OF.

WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE?

>> I HAVEN'T.

>> I HAVEN'T HEARD THAT RESPONSE.

I'VE HEARD REGISTERED REPUBLICANS, TRUMP SUPPORTERS, INDEPENDENTS AND DEMOCRATS COME TO ME AND SAY THANK YOU FOR HAVING THE AUDACITY AND COURAGE TO SPEAK THE TRUTH ABOUT THE PAIN OF OUR HISTORY.

>> NOT ONE PERSON TOLD YOU THAT AD WENT TOO FAR WITH YOU HAVING A NOOSE AROUND YOUR NECK?

YOU DID NOT HEAR THAT ONE TIME?

>> NOT ONE PERSON.

AND I'M PROUD OF THAT BECAUSE I KNOW HOW DIFFICULT IT WAS NOT JUSTED TO SEE THAT BUT TO BE A PART OF THAT.

I MADE IT CLEAR.

I HAVE ANCESTORS WHO WERE ENSLAVED IN KENTUCKY, SOME OF WHOM WERE LYNCHED IN KENTUCKY.

WE CANNOT IGNORE OUR PAIN OR OUR PAST.

AND WE CAN'T IGNORE THE REALITY THAT RAND PAUL STOKES RACISM AND DIVISION TO DIVIDE US AND TO BLOCK US FROM OUR FUTURE.

>> Renee: BUT HE WENT ON TO CO-SPONSOR THE LEGISLATION THAT BECAME THE EMMITT TEAL ANTI-AIRCHING ACT.

>> HE GOT OUT OF THE WAY AS WE RAISED HELL AGAINST HIM.

HE BLOCKED LEGISLATION, VOTED AGAINST LEGISLATION TO CONDEMN DOMESTIC TERRORISM ROOTED IN STRUCTURAL RACISM BECAUSE HE SAID INTERRACIAL MARRIAGE EXIST SO WE DON'T NEED TO WORRY ABOUT RACISM ANYMORE.

HE IS THE STILL SAME RAND PAUL WHO WOULD HAVE OPPOSED THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT AND THE SAME RAND PAUL WHO DOESN'T BELIEVE RACISM EXISTS HE STILL WANTS TO CUT SOCIAL SECURITY.

THE GUY IS NOT CREDIBLE AND WE NEED TO CALL HIM OUT FOR HIS B.S.

AND LIFT UP A MESSAGE ABOUT COMING TOGETHER TO FACE OUR PAIN SO WE CAN HEAL.

THAT VIDEO WAS TALKED ABOUT A LOT.

THE MOST POWERFUL PART ABOUT IT IS WHEN THAT ROPE CAME OFF.

WE CAN MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER AS A FUTURE FOR OUR COMMONWEALTH AND WE ARE GOING TO DO THAT.

>> Renee: WHEN YOU KICKED OFF YOUR CAMPAIGN IN JULY OF LAST YEAR, YOU SAID YOU SEE RACE AND RACISM AS INEVITABLY BEING INVOLVED, IS THAT THE ISSUE THAT KENTUCKY VOTERS TELL YOU THEY CARE THE MOST ABOUT?

THE ISSUE KENTUCKIANS CARE ABOUT ARE BEING ABLE TO AFFORD MEDICINE, BEING ABLE TO AFFORD TO KEEP A ROOF OVER THEIR HEAD, BEING ABLE TO HAVE GOOD PAYING JOBS AND KNOWING WHEN THEIR CHILDREN GO TO SCHOOL THEY'RE SAFE.

BEING ABLE TO HAVE CLEAN WATER AND FOR A LOT OF OUR LOVED ONES IN EASTERN KENTUCKY AND EVEN IN WESTERN KENTUCKY THAT HAVE DEALT WITH THESE HORRIFIC STORMS, THEY'RE WORRIED ABOUT THEIR LIVELIHOODS.

THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS STRUCTURAL RACISM AFFECTS ALL OF THAT.

THEY'RE NOT SEPARATE THINGS BUT I'M SPEAKING TO THE ISSUES, WHILE I CALL OUT THE STRUCTURAL BARRIERS THAT BLOCK US AND BECAUSE OF THAT, I'M BUILDING A COALITION OF A LOT OF FOLKS WHO KNOW THAT ENOUGH IS ENOUGH RAND PAUL LAS TURNED HIS BACK AND VOTED AGAINST DISASTER RELIEF AND VOTED AGAINST EXPANDING HEALTHCARE AND VOTED AGAINST INFRASTRUCTURE, DESCROATED AGAINST LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

HE HAS BEEN OUR BARRIER.

WE NEED TO REMOVE HIM SO WE CAN WIN OUR FUTURE.

>> Renee: TOP OF MIND FOR MANY VOTERS MID TERM ELECTION, INFLATION, THE ECONOMY, PRESIDENT BIDEN SIGNED THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT CLIMATE CHANGE MEASURE, DRUG PRICING LAW, ALL WHILE RENT AND FOOD PRICES WERE CONTINUING TO CLIMB.

DO YOU AGREE WITH THE PRESIDENT'S APPROACH TO INFLATION REDUCTION?

>> WELL, THE MEASURES PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS TAKEN ARE IMPORTANT.

THERE IS A LOT OF WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO REPAIR OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, TO BRING JOBS BACK TO KENTUCKY, TO THIS COUNTRY, TO ALLOW US TO BE THE LEADERS ON THE GLOBAL STAGE THAT WE DESERVE TO BE.

AND TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHAOS.

THESE HISTORIC UNPRECEDENTED STORMS HAVING A THOUSAND SAND YEAR FLOOD THAT HIT COMMUNITIES THAT WERE NEVER IN A FLOOD PLAIN, THESE ARE NOT HAPPENSTANCE.

WE CAN NO THE LOOK AWAY FROM THEM OR CALL THEM A MYTH OR JOKE LIKE RAND PAUL WOULD.

SO THE LEADERSHIP HAS BEEN IMPORTANT.

BUT WE HAVE A LOT MORE WORK TO DO.

WE HAVE TO MAKE CRITICAL INVESTMENTS IN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE; REPAIRING ROADS, BRIDGES, COMMUNITIES.

>> Renee: THAT HASN'T BEEN DONE WITH THE PACKAGE THAT WAS PASSED LAST YEAR?

>> A LOT OF THAT IS UNDER WAY AND I'M PROUD OF THAT, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE RAND PAUL VOTED AGAINST THEM WHILE KNOWING KENTUCKY DESPERATELY NEEDS THIS INVESTMENT.

BUT THERE IS SO MUCH MORE WORK TO BE DONE AND WITH THE 50-50 SENATE, WE NEED TO EXPAND OUR MAJORITY TO KEEP MAKING THE INVESTMENTS FOR THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY.

RAND PAUL SAID WE SHOULD BE SATISFIED WITH POVERTY.

HE IS NEVER GOING TO STEP UP AND DO THE WORK OF HELPING OUR FAMILIES.

I WILL.

>> Renee: LET'S TALK ABOUT POLICE REFORM.

TOP DEMOCRATS INCLUDING FORMER PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA HAVE SAID THAT DEFUNDING THE POLICE, THE SLOGAN IS DAMAGING TO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND JEOPARDIZES THE OVERALL GOAL TO GET TO MEANINGFUL REFORM AND LAW ENFORCEMENT.

A JUNE 2020 INTERVIEW WITH THE ROOT, WHICH IS A PUBLICATION THAT CATERS TO OUR BLACK AUDIENCES, WERE YOU ASKED IF YOU SUPPORT DEFUND THE POLICE MOVEMENT AND YOUR ANSWER SEEMED TO BE SOMEWHAT VAGUE.

SO PHIL HILL, A VIEWER TWEETED, WHAT IS YOUR OFFICIAL POSITION ON DEFUNDING LAW ENFORCEMENT?

>> MY ANSWER WAS NOT VAGUE AT ALL.

I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT THAT UP BECAUSE A LOT OF FOLKS IN RAND PAUL'S CAMP HAVE TRIED TO USE THAT TO PUT WORDS IN MY MOUTH.

WHAT I HAVE SAID CONSISTENTLY BECAUSE I'VE WORKED WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT, I'VE WORKED WITH COMMUNITIES ON THE GROUND TO ADDRESS VIOLENCE AND PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS.

WHAT WE THEY'D TO DO IS FULLY UNDER COMMUNITY SAFETY.

THAT MEANS WE WORK WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT.

WE WORK WITH FAITH LEADERS, WE WORK WITH PHILANTHROPY, WE WORK WITH BUSINESS AND WORK WITH FOLKS ON THE GROUND TO ADDRESS THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH AND ACTUALLY INVEST IN DEALING WITH THE ROOT CAUSES OF CRIME.

>> Renee: FUNDING COMMUNITY SAFETY MEANS YOU FUND THE POLICE.

>> LET'S BE CLEAR.

WHEN THERE IS A CRISIS, WHEN SOMEONE IS IN AN EMERGENCY, WE ALL WANT TO CALL 911 AND HAVE SOMEONE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT COME TO OUR AID.

WHAT WE DON'T NEED IS THAT SAME AGENCY WE CALLED TO PROTECT AND SERVE US KICKING OUR DOOR AND SHOOTING US IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT.

NO ONE WANTS THAT.

CALLING FOR ACCOUNTABILITY IS NOT CALLING FOR ANY SORT OF ABOLISHISHMENT.

IT'S CALLING FOR THE TYPES OF REAL STRUCTURAL CHANGE THAT ALLOWS US TO HAVE SAFETY.

>> Renee: YOU BELIEVE THE POLICE SHOULD BE FUNDED.

>> LET ME BE VERY CLEAR.

WHAT RAND PAUL WAS SAYING WHETHER HE CALLS FOR THOSE WORDS WHICH I HAVE NEVER USED BECAUSE I UNDERSTOOD FOLKS WITH CO-OPT THAT LANGUAGE.

RAND PAUL WANTS PEOPLE TO LOOK AT THE COLOR OF MY SKIN INSTEAD OF MY RECORD.

THAT'S WHY HE KEEPS USING THOSE WORDS OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

RAND PAUL VOTED AGAINST FUNDING FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS INCLUDING LAW ENFORCEMENT.

HE IS DOING THE DEFUNDING.

RAND PAUL SUPPORTED INSURRECTIONISTS ATTACKING OUR CAPITOL WHO KILLED OFFICERS CALLING IT A TOURIST VISIT.

HE IS NOT STANDING UP FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OR ANYONE IN OUR COMMUNITY BECAUSE HE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT ANYONE AND SO IT IS WRONG AND IT IS OFFENSIVE TO SAY THAT A LIFE LONG KENTUCKIAN MYSELF, A FATHER OF THREE YOUNG GIRL, A HARD WORKING AFRICAN-AMERICAN IN THIS COMMUNITY WOULD NOT WANT OUR FAMILIES TO BE SAFE.

>> Renee: JUST SO WE ARE CLEAR.

DO YOU SUPPORT ELIMINATING LAW ENFORCEMENT BUDGETS YES OR NO, Mr. BOOKER.

>> THAT DOESN'T EVEN MAKE SENSE.

IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO GET RID OF BUDGETS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OR ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY.

WE NEED CHANGE.

THAT DOESN'T MEAN WE DON'T NEED THE SUPPORT.

WE NEED THE CHANGES THAT WILL ALLOW OUR COMMUNITIES TO BE SAFE AND RAND PAUL SHOULD BE HERE TO EXPLAIN WHAT HE WOULD WANT TO DO TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE INSTEAD OF RELYING ON ME.

>> Renee: LET'S TALK ABOUT YOUR HEALTHCARE IDEAS, MEDICAID-- MEDICARE FOR ALL.

YOU HAVE SAID THAT REMOVING THE PROFIT MODEL OUT OF THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM WOULD GO A LONG WAY IN HELPING PEOPLE BECOME HEALTHIER Y.

DO YOU BELIEVE MEDICARE FOR ALL IS A WORKABLE ECONOMIC AND HEALTHCARE POLICY THAT WOULD BE EMBRACED BY WASHINGTON?

>> EL WITH, THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS WHAT WE HAVE NOW IS NOT WORKABLE.

THE SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE NOW IS NOT FAIR TO OUR DOCTORS, OUR NURSES.

IT'S CERTAINLY NOT ACCOUNTING FOR THE LIVES OF KENTUCKIANS WHO DESERVE TO BE HEALTHY, WHO SHOULD NOT HAVE TO RATION INSULIN LIKE VIF HAD TO DO AS A TYPE ONE DIABETIC.

WE NEED TO START FROM THE PREMISE THAT WHAT WE HAVE NOW IS NOT WORKING.

THE REASON I BELIEVE EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE QUALITY HEALTHCARE IS BECAUSE I SEE IT AS AN ECONOMIC POLICY.

I SEE IT AS A JUSTICE POLICY.

I SEE IT AS A WAY FOR US TO BUILD A FUTURE WHERE EVERYONE CAN THRIVE.

WHERE WE CAN HAVE WEALTH AND PROSPERITY ALL OVER THIS COUNTRY WHERE SMALL BUSINESSES CAN STAND UP AND INVEST IN OUR LOCAL ECONOMY.

RAND PAUL HAS VOTED AGAINST SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.

HE DOES NOT CARE THAT THEY HAVE RISING COSTS IN OVERHEAD.

HE DOES NOT CARE ABOUT RISING COSTS AT ALL.

HE WANTED TO FURTHER CLOG UP THE SUPPLY CHAIN.

HE HAS BEEN AN OBSTACLE AND BARRIER.

I BELIEVE HEALTHCARE IS A RIGHT.

I'M GOING TO FIGHT FOR THAT IN WASHINGTON AND MAKE SURE THAT ONE HAS TO CHOOSE BETWEEN PUTTING FOOD ON THE TABLE OR GETTING THEIR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

>> HOW WOULD YOU PAY FOR IT, Mr. BOOKER, HOW WOULD YOU PAY FOR MEDICARE FOR ALL.

>> THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS WE ARE ALREADY PAYING IT.

THERE IS SO MUCH BUREAUCRACY IN THE SYSTEM.

SO MUCH OF THE MONEY THAT WE INVEST IN THE SYSTEM GOES TO ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS AND THERE IS A VERY BIG REALITY THAT A LOT OF THE MONEY IN OUR SYSTEM HAS GONE OUT THE TOP, HAS GONE TO THE WEALTHIEST FEW, BIG CORPORATIONS WHO PAY HARDLY NOTHING IN TAXES BECAUSE OF THE TRILLION DOLLAR TAX BREAK THAT RAND PAUL ON PROVED.

HE CALLS HIMSELF A LIBERTARIAN.

HE GAVE OUR MONEY AWAY TO BIG MONEY INTERESTS.

IF WE JUST LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THE ADMINISTRATION, BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS WORKING TO DO NOW.

WE NEED MORE LEADERSHIP IN THE SENATE THAT'S GOING TO FIGHT FOR THAT.

WE CLOSE LOOPHOLES, BRING MORE MONEY MOOT SYSTEM, WE CAN AFFORD TO HAVE HEALTHCARE FOR THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY.

>> Renee: TO THE POINT YOU MADE ABOUT ABORTION LARGELY ALONG PARTY LINES VOTED ON TWO MEASURES PASSED IN THE WAKE OF THE U.S. SUPREME COURT OVERTURN OF THE 1937 ROE V. WADE RULING.

THEE APPROVED THE WOMEN'S HEALTH PROTECTION ACT WHICH WOO CODIFY ABORTION RIGHTS PROTECTION INTO FEDERAL LAW AND ENSURING ACCESS TO ABORTION ACTS BANNING STATES FROM PUNISHING THOSE WHO TRAVEL OUT OF STATE FOR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE.

WOULD YOU PUSH FOR THOSE MEASURES TO BE ADOPTED?

>> WELL, I ABSOLUTELY DO SUPPORT NOT JUST THOSE MEASURES BUT THE COMMITMENT TO PROTECTING THE RIGHT TO PRIVACY, TO PROTECT THE RIGHT OF WOMEN, THOSE WHO BECOME PREGNANT, TO HAVING THE LEAK THEY NEED WHICH INCLUDES ABORTION.

I FULLY BELIEVE THAT WOMEN AND THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY DESERVE AGENCY TO MAKE DECISIONS OVER THEIR BODIES AND WE SHOULD NOT HAVE GOVERNMENT OPERATING AS BIG BROTHER, SURVEILLING IN OUR HOMES, CERTAINLY INTRUDING IN THE UTERUS OF THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY TO SAY THAT THIS PERSON SHOULD NOT GET HEALTHCARE.

NOW THIS IS VERY PERSONAL.

I HAVE TRAVELED ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH TALKING TO A LOT OF FOLKS WHO DON'T NORMALLY TELL THEIR STORIES AND I'VE HEARD ACCOUNTS OF YOUNG GIRLS WHO WERE RAPED BY THEIR BROTHER EVEN, IMPREGNATED AND THE PREGNANCY WAS THREATENING TO KILL THEM, A YOUNG CHILD.

THE LEGISLATION THAT RAND PAUL IS SUPPORTING WOULD SAY THAT THAT CHILD'S LIFE DOESN'T MATTER EVEN IF SHE WAS GOING TO DIE.

THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT BE MAKING THAT DECISION REGARDLESS OF WHAT YOUR PERSONAL BELIEF IS, I WAS RAISED IN A PENTECOSTAL CHURCH.

I UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT THIS ISSUE IS.

THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT BE MANDATING WHAT HEALTHCARE SOME PEOPLE GET OVER OTHERS.

>> Renee: ARE THERE ANY EXCLUSIONS TO ABORTION ACCESS THAT YOU WOULD SUPPORT SUCH AS GESTATION PERIODS, LATE TERM ABORTIONS?

ARE YOU FOR THOSE?

>> WELL, I ALSO APPRECIATE THE CHANCE TO PUSH BACK ON THE MISNOMER IN THIS CONVERSATION.

THE IDEA THAT THERE ARE LATE TERM ABORTIONS THAT ARE HAPPENING BECAUSE A PARENT WANTS THEM TO HAPPEN IS NOT PROVEN BY THE DATA AT ALL.

IF THERE IS A LATE TERM BLOARGS THAT IS-- ABORTION THAT IS NEEDED, IT IS GENERALLY BECAUSE OF MEDICAL NECESSITY.

AND IN THAT MOMENT, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE ARE PROTECTIONS FOR THAT MOTHER AND FOR THAT PARENT.

I DO BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT A PERSON GOING THROUGH PREGNANCY HAS ALL THE SUPPORTS THEY NEED SO THAT WHEN THAT LIFE COMES INTO THE WORLD, THEY'RE PROTECTED.

THEY HAVE HEALTHCARE, THEY HAVE THE SUPPORTS THEY NEED TO GROW AND THRIVE.

MY YOUNGEST DAUGHTER JUST TURNED 1 A LITTLE OVER A MONTH AGO.

I WANT HER TO BE ABLE TO DREAM BIG AND SURPASS HER DREAMS EVERY CHILD.

I AM COMMITTED TO THAT WORK HOLISTICALLY AND IT STARTS WITH MATERNAL CARE, ADDRESSING THE MORTALITY RATE AMONGST WOMEN AND MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE QUALITY HEALTHCARE FOR EVERYONE THAT INCLUDES ABORTION CARE.

>> Renee: A COUPLE OF TWEETS FROM VIEWERS TONIGHT, THIS FROM HAILY CROCKER.

QUESTION FOR YOU Mr. BOOKER, SO OFTEN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN LEFT BY THE WAYSIDE BECAUSE OF OTHER ADMITTEDLY IMPORTANT ISSUES.

WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON PUBLIC EDUCATION?

ANY THOUGHTS ON HOW WE CAN STAY COMPETITIVE AND ENSURE STRONG FACT BASED EDUCATION FOR OUR KIDS?

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT QUESTION, AND YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU ASKED ME IN THE BEGINNING ABOUT MY PATH TO VICTORY, MY PATH GOES THROUGH THE HEARTS OF EDUCATORS ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH WHO RAISE THE STANDARD TO SAY THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO KICK OUR FUTURE OFF THE CLIFF ANYMORE.

WE STOOD TOGETHER AND GOT RID OF A HORRIBLE POLITICIAN NAMED MATT BEVIN AND WE ARE GOING TO STAND TOGETHER AND GET RID OF A HORRIBLE POLITICIAN IN RAND PAUL.

AGAIN, WE NEED TO FULLY AND EQUITABLE EQUITABLY FUND OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION.

OUR TEACHERS ARE PUBLIC SERVANTS.

WE NEED TO ADDRESS THEM THAT WAY AND ADDRESSING THE WINDFALL PROVISION.

THEY CAN HAVE BENEFITS, SPOUSES AS WELL.

MORE IMPORTANTLY, WE NEED TO TARGET FUNDING INTO PUBLIC EDUCATION, INTO AREAS THAT HAVE BEEN HISTORICALLY IGNORED, MARGINALIZED AND EVEN DISENFRANCHISED SO THAT THEY HAVE THE RESOURCES TO EDUCATE OUR STUDENTS.

AN WE NEED TO MAKE SURE OUR TEACHERS ARE EQUIPPED AND SUPPORTED IN EDUCATING OUR CHILDREN THE WAY THEY NEED, INCLUDING KNOWING THEIR HISTORY, KNOWING OUR HISTORY, SO THAT WE CAN WIN A BETTER FUTURE TOGETHER.

>> Renee: YOU ARE ALLUDING TO CRITICAL RACE THEORY, CORRECT?

>> CRITICAL RACE THEORY IS TYPICALLY TAUGHT IN LAW SCHOOLS.

WHAT I'M ALLUDING TO IS NOT DENYING THE PAIN OF OUR PAST SO THAT WE CAN BE BETTER PREPARED FOR OUR FUTURE.

TEACHERS NEED SUPPORT TO TEACH IN THE CLASSROOM.

THEY NEED THE RESOURCES TO INVEST AND DO THAT WORK, TO HAVE CULTURAL COMPETENT PROCEDURES AND CURRICULUM AND THAT IS ABOUT MEETING THE NEEDS OF OUR CHILDREN.

THEY DESERVE THAT.

>> Renee: THIS QUESTION OR TWEET FROM PAYTON, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO A MODERATE DEMOCRAT OR PROGRESSIVE REPUBLICAN WHO HAS DOUBTS ABOUT VOTING FOR YOU?

MANY WOULD SAY THAT YOUR PLATFORM LEANS AND IS VERY PROGRESSIVE AND HOW ARE YOU ABLE TO SEND YOUR MESSAGE BEYOND JUST THOSE VERY LIBERAL BASES THAT ARE IN JEFFERSON COUNTY OR FAYETTE COUNTY?

>> WELL, MY PLATFORM IS NOT DERIVED FROM THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

MY PLATFORM COMES FROM MY LIVED EXPERIENCE AND WORK AGO CROSS KENTUCKY-- WORKING ACROSS KENTUCKY.

I WAS THE DIRECTOR OF FISH AND WILDLIFE.

I'VE TRAVELED ALL OVER THE COMMONWEALTH.

WHAT I WOULD TELL EVERYONE WHO IS CONSIDERING TO SUPPORT ME, GOOD, THAT'S THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.

YOU SHOULD DO THAT TO RAND PAUL, TOO, BUT HE IS NOT HERE.

WHAT I WOULD SAY TO HIM IS IF YOU WANT MORE MONEY IN YOUR POCKET, IF YOU WANT MORE COMMUNITY TO BE PROSPEROUS, IF YOU WANT TO SEE KENTUCKY DO BETTER THAN BEING RANKED AT THE BOTTOM IN PRACTICALLY EVERYTHING, IF YOU WANT INTERNET THAT'S NOT CRAP, WATER THAT'S CLEAN, UTILITIES NOT BREAKING YOUR BACK, IF YOU WANT YOUR COMMUNITY TO BE SAFE, IF YOU WANT THE FREEDOM TO LIVE THE WAY YOU WANT TO LIVE WITHOUT BEING DISCRIMINATED AGAINST BY THE GOVERNMENT YOU PAY FOR, STAND WITH ME.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT RADICAL PROPOSALS.

IT'S ABOUT SAYING WE DESERVE BETTER.

WE DESERVE TO LIVE A GOOD LIFE.

GOOD PAYING UNION JOBS, WE DESERVE TO BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF OUR FAMILIES AND HAVE HEALTHCARE.

VETERANS WHO HAVE SERVED OUR COUNTRY DESERVE QUALITY HEALTHCARE.

RAND PAUL OPPOSED THE PACT ACT ESSENTIALLY SAYING THAT VETERANS COULD BE LYING ABOUT THEIR HEALTH CONDITIONS.

I'M SIMPLY SAY WOOGIE DESERVE BETTER THAN THAT.

AND IF YOU WANT TO CALL IT MODERATE OR PROGRESSIVE, I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU CALL IT.

I JUST KNOW WE NEED BETTER AND I'M GOING TO WASHINGTON TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

>> Renee: YOUR PLATFORM IS INFORMED BY YOUR UPBRINGING IN LOUISVILLE AND YOU HAVE TALKED A LOT ABOUT BEING IN THE HOOD AND FROM THE WEST END.

AND YOU'VE TALKED ABOUT PLACES IN PLUFL, RUBBERTOWN, FOR EXAMPLE, WHERE THERE ARE TOXIC CHEMICAL EMISSIONS AND HOW THE INFRASTRUCTURE HAS MADE PEOPLE SICK WITH ASTHMA AND HIGHER CANCER RATES.

MANY PEOPLE WOULD ASK YOU WHY DID YOU NOT PURSUE THE MAYOR'S OFFICE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN MORE ATTAINABLE FOR YOU AND YOUR POLITICAL PURSUITS?

WHY NOT THAT OFFICE?

WHY U.S. SENATE?

>> WELL, I AM FROM THE HOOD.

AND I SAY IT PROUDLY.

I REPRESENT AT LEAST I STRIVE TO, I WANT THEM TO BE PROUD OF ME, MY FAMILY BECAUSE I'M PROUD OF THEM.

I LOVE KENTUCKY AND WHEN I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRAVEL OUTSIDE OF MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND GO ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH, I FELL IN LOVE AND I MET A WHOLE LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE MIAMI FAMILY.

WE MAY NOT LOOK THE SAME.

OUR GEOGRAPHY MIGHT BE DIFFERENT, BUT WE HAVE SO MANY OF THE SAME STORIES AND THE CHALLENGES THAT I'VE SEEN IN THE WEST END ARE PERVASIVE ACROSS KENTUCKY.

I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE ANYONE IN MY FAMILY BEHIND.

MY GRANDAD TAUGHT ME THAT YOU TAKE CARE OF YOUR FAMILY.

I COME FROM A BIG FAMILY SO I'M USED TO FIGHTING FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

AND I KNOW THAT WE CAN CHANGE THINGS AT A STATEWIDE LEVEL AT A NATIONAL LEVEL AND IF WE DO THAT, OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES WILL BE BETTER PREPARED TO SUCCEED AS WELL.

SO THIS IS OUT OF LOVE FOR MY CITY, BUT OUT OF LOVE FOR MY COMMONWEALTH.

>> Renee: HAVE YOU MENTIONED YOU BELIEVE IN TERM LIMITS.

YOU SAID THE BEST INTENTIONS CAN BE SULLIED BY THE QUEST FOR SELF PRESERVATION.

SO TWO QUESTIONS.

WHAT IS YOUR PLAN FOR TERM LIMITS?

WHAT DO YOU PROPOSE AND HOW WOULD YOU REASSURE KENTUCKY VOTERS THAT YOU WOULD NOT GET CAUGHT UP AND SELL OUT ONCE YOU GOT YOUR PLACE IN WACKER WASHINGTON AND TRY TO MAINTAIN THAT PLACE IN WASHINGTON.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION AND I WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO ASK RAND PAUL HIS POSITION.

OF COURSE HE IS NOT HERE.

RAND PAUL ONCE PLEDGED TO SERVE TWO TERMS.

HE IS RUNNING FOR A THIRD SO HE CAN TAKE MORE TAXPAYER MONEY AND DO NOTHING.

I DO BELIEVE IN TERM LIMITS AND PERSONALLY I COMMIT TO THAT.

SO I WILL ANNOUNCE THAT HERE.

I WOULD PLEDGE THE SAME PLEDGE THAT RAND PAUL MADE EXCEPT I'M NOT LYING ABOUT IT.

I DON'T BELIEVE THAT GOING INTO ELECTED OFFICE SHOULD BE A CAREER CHOICE.

THIS OFFICE DOESN'T BELONG TO RAND PAUL AND WHEN I WIN, IT WON'T BELONG TO ME.

IT WILL BELONG TO THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY AND I BELIEVE THAT HAVING THAT TYPE OF UNDERSTANDING AND COMMITMENT WILL ALLOW BETTER POLICY MAKING.

IT WILL ALLOW FOR BETTER ADVOCACY.

WE ARE FIGHTING A SYSTEM THAT DOES NOT CARE ABOUT KENTUCKY GENERALLY, THAT HAS PRETTY MUCH CONCEDED OUR LIVES AWAY.

AND IN ORDER TO CHANGE THAT, WE NEED PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT GOING THERE.

>> Renee: WHAT WOULD BE YOUR TERM LIMIT?

TWO TERMS?

>> NO MORE THAN TWO TERMS.

I THINK THAT'S FAIR.

THE TERMS IN THE SENATE ARE SIX YEARS.

IF YOU CANNOT GO TO THE UNITED STATES SENATE AND, IN 12 YEARS, GET ANYTHING DONE FOR THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY, GO AWAY.

>> Renee: YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF A PROUD DEMOCRAT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> Renee: ARE YOU SATISFIED WITH THE SUPPORT FROM THE KENTUCKY DEMOCRATIC PARTY?

AND LOCAL?

OPPOSED TO NATIONAL?

WE KNOW YOU ARE GETTING A LOT OF SUPPORT THERE AND THERE HAD BEEN RUMORS YOU CONSIDERED RUNNING AS AN INDEPENDENT.

WHAT IS YOUR SATISFACTION LEVEL WITH THE KENTUCKY DEMOCRATIC PARTY?

>> WELL, THERE ARE A LOT OF CHALLENGES IN PARTY POLITICS.

I BELIEVE IN A LOT OF WAYS PARTY DIVISION HAS REALLY CRIPPLED US AS A COMMONWEALTH AND IT HAS BEEN EXPLOITED, ESPECIALLY BY PEOPLE LIKE RAND PAUL WHO SEWs DIVISION AT EVERY TURN.

I COME FROM A COMMUNITY WHERE A LOT OF FOLKS DON'T FEEL LIKE THEIR VOICES ARE HEARD.

NOW THEY VOTE DEMOCRATIC AND THEY HAVE BEEN FRUSTRATED.

BUT I KNOW A LOT OF FOLKS WHO VOTE REPUBLICAN WHO HAVE BEEN FRUSTRATED, TOO AND INDEPENDENTS AND SO MY PLATFORM HAS REALLY BEEN ABOUT HUMANITY.

THAT'S WHY PEOPLE OF ALL BACKGROUNDS, WHETHER THEY'RE INDEPENDENT, DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN ARE ORGANIZING AND WORKING ON MY CAMPAIGN.

>> DID YOU CONSIDER CHANGING AFFILIATIONS?

>> WHAT I HAVE ALWAYS SAID IS I'M FIGHTING TO BE AN INDEPENDENT VOICE AND NOT TO BE BOUGHT IN PARTY POLITICS AT ALL.

I'M A DEMOCRAT NOT BECAUSE OF THE PARTY APPARATUS BUT BECAUSE I BELIEVE IN THE VALUES OF HUMANITY.

I BELIEVE THAT DEMOCRACY IS WORTH FIGHTING FOR I BELIEVE WE SHOULD MAKE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE FOR EVERY COMMUNITY AND AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME, THERE REALLY ONLY ONE PARTY IN LEADERSHIP THAT IS ACTUALLY TRYING TO DO THAT.

ARE THEY DOING IT WELL OR PERFECTLY?

ABSOLUTELY NOT THERE SHOULD BE ACCOUNTABILITY.

ANYBODY WHO LOOKS AT MY RECORD KNOWS THAT I WILL STAND, WHETHER IT'S DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS OR NOT, FOR THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY MY FIRST RUN FOR OFFICE WAS GERCHES AN INCUMBENT.

THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY ARE HELPING ME GET RAND PAUL OUT OF OFFICE.

>> Renee: THANK YOU Mr. BOOKER.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR BEING HERE TONIGHT NEXT MONDAY ON KENTUCKY TONIGHT, WE CONTINUE OUR CANDIDATE CONVERSATIONS BY LOOKING AT THE U.S. HOUSE RACES IN DISTRICTS ONE, TWO, AND THREE.

WE WILL TALK WITH THE CANDIDATES WHO MET OUR CRITERIA AND ACCEPTED OUR INVITATIONS.

BE SURE TO JOIN US EACH WEEKNIGHT AT 6:30 EASTERN, 5:30 CENTRAL FOR ‘KENTUCKY EDITION.’ AND JOIN BILL BRYANT AND A TEAM OF WORKING JOURNALISTS TO DISCUSS THE NEWS OF THE WEEK ON ‘COMMENT ON KENTUCKY,’ FRIDAY AT 8:00 EASTERN, 7:00 CENTRAL.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK.

TAKE REALLY GOOD CARE AND I'LL SEE YOU SOON.