Sen. Rand Paul acknowledged Friday he is strongly considering a run for the White House, predicting that libertarian philosophies would revitalize the Republican Party and boost his potential bid. <\/p>\n
What the party needs is somebody who will invigorate the party and bring new people, the Kentucky Republican said in an interview for Lone Star Politics, airing Sunday on KXAS-TV (NBC5). African-Americans and Hispanics, Asian-Americans are going to look to the Republican Party, if we express ideas of freedom and liberty. <\/p>\n
Paul noted that he has a trip scheduled in April to New Hampshire, site of the first presidential primary, and he is widely expected to carry the libertarian standard once held by his father, former Rep. Ron Paul of Lake Jackson. <\/p>\n
I keep looking at my schedule, and I see New Hampshire, I see Iowa, I see South Carolina, and I dont understand why I keep going to these states. Paul joked. We are considering it. We havent made a decision yet, but I am interested in the idea. <\/p>\n
Paul acknowledged that Sen. Ted Cruz and Gov. Rick Perry were possible Republican presidential contenders in 2016. He said his libertarian views distinguish him from the pack, offering as an example his goal to fix the racial outcome of the war on drugs, in which punishments hit minority offenders particularly hard. <\/p>\n
While he did not compare himself directly to Cruz or Perry, Paul touted his own appeal. <\/p>\n
Ive got to try to stand on my message, he said. We need to get back to the boldness of our message. <\/p>\n
Paul was in town Friday for meetings and a rally to help the Texas Senate campaign of Dallas businessman Don Huffines. <\/p>\n
Huffines, a fellow libertarian, is running in the GOP primary against longtime incumbent and Dallas businessman John Carona. <\/p>\n
Huffines, who also recorded a segment for Lone Star Politics, said he would focus on rebuilding infrastructure and developing viable solutions for transportation problems while adhering to conservative principles. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Read more: <\/p>\n
Rand Paul, visiting Dallas, says hes considering White House bid<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Sen. Rand Paul acknowledged Friday he is strongly considering a run for the White House, predicting that libertarian philosophies would revitalize the Republican Party and boost his potential bid Continue reading