Rand Paul 'proud' to be a Republican because of 'rich history' of civil rights

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) on Sunday explained that the GOP's "rich history" of fighting for civil rights made him proud to be a member of the Republican Party.

During an interview with CNN on Sunday, host Candy Crowley asked Paul if he could ever see himself joining another political party -- either an existing party or a new third party.

"I'm just wondering if you see yourself being anything other than a Republican?" Crowley said.

"No, I've always been a Republican," Paul pointed out. "And I'm one of those people who's actually a real lover of the history of the Republican Party. Through the days of abolition through the days of civil rights, the Republican Party just has a really rich history."

"In our state, I'm really proud of the fact that the ones that overturned Jim Crow in Kentucky were Republicans fighting against an entirely unified Democrat [sic] Party," he added. "So, I am proud to be a Republican. Can't imagine being anything else."

Watch this video from CNN's State of the Union, broadcast Oct. 13, 2013.