2020 presidential long shot Julian Castro sent a fundraising email to his supporters based on his interaction with front-runner Joe Biden during Thursday night’s presidential debate.
Castro attacked Biden at the time for what he characterized as a flip-flop by the former vice president on his healthcare policy proposal from moments earlier. The former Department of Housing and Urban Development secretary alleged that Biden’s plan would force Americans to opt into the public Medicare plan; however, that’s not what Biden had said minutes before.
Biden defended his plan while Castro proceeded to attack the front-runner, saying, “You just said two minutes ago that they would have to buy in. You said they would have to buy in. Are you forgetting what you said two minutes ago?”
“I spent every second on last night’s debate stage fighting for you — and now I’m being viciously attacked for it,” Castro said in the email Friday morning.
New @JulianCastro fundraising email says he’s being “viciously attacked” after debate.
“I could either play it safe and give Vice President Biden a free pass like everyone else. Or I could speak up…” pic.twitter.com/phcJeG3taD
— Patrick Svitek (@PatrickSvitek) September 13, 2019
“This is the biggest challenge my campaign has ever faced. I’ve never needed you to have my back with $5 more than I do in this defining moment,” the email goes on. “I could either play it safe and give Vice President Biden a free pass like everyone else. Or I could speak up, challenge the conversation, and demand answers for you and your family. I’m not in this race to play it safe.”
Many criticized Castro for the “ageist” attack against Biden, while he defended himself in a post-debate interview.
[Related: ‘That was not a personal attack’: Julián Castro defends remarks about Biden’s memory]
