Sunday on ABC’s “This Week,” Rep.Keith Ellison (D-MN), a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said he is “proud to stand” with Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) on many issues.

While discussing Paul’s opposition to the Patriot Act, Ellison said, “Let me tell you, I’m worked with Rand Paul on civil forfeiture reform, on the reset act to look at drug sentencing laws, he agrees that we should get rid of mandatory minimum sentencing. I think he’s right about that. I’ve been proud to stand with him at press conferences talking about these very issues. Why? Because at the end of the day for me, it’s about trying to do the best we can by our constitution and the American people. We might cut the cake differently on tax policy, but on these basic core issues of freedom, we agree.”

“The Weekly Standard’s ” Bill Kristol said, “Keith doesn’t stand with Rand, that’s not fair to Keith. Rand stands with Keith. Seriously. They had these positions first. Rand Paul has now decided that he wants to be a liberal Democrat. Undercut necessary intelligence collection. Weaken the police officers and our intelligence services, and Rand Paul thinks that’s going to sell in the Republican primary. I think he’s deeply misguided about that. But I guess he sincerely believes it and he’s welcome to make the case.”

Follow Pam Key on Twitter @pamkeyNEN