(CNN) - <\/p>\n
When Sen. Rand Paul visits Maine Saturday, he'll be venturing into friendly territory. <\/p>\n
His father, former Texas Rep. Ron Paul, amassed strong support in the state and took a close second behind Mitt Romney in the 2012 GOP presidential caucuses, 38 percent-36 percent. <\/p>\n
Rand Paul will speak at Maine's GOP convention on Saturday, after headlining a lunch for the state party with fellow Republican Sen. Susan Collins. <\/p>\n
The pairing of the two senators is an interesting matchup, given Collins' reputation for being a moderate and Paul's libertarian leanings. But it could be a mutually beneficial appearance. <\/p>\n
Paul is actively trying to broaden his appeal in the GOP by courting mainstream Republicans without losing his libertarian-leaning base. <\/p>\n
If Paul runs for president, he'll want the same robust support his father got from Republicans in Maine, and by appearing with Collins, he'll show voters nationwide he can play nice with establishment Republicans and those willing to work with the other side. <\/p>\n
For her part, an event with Paul could help boost her credentials among her more conservative base and curb speculation that she's not a firmly rooted Republican. <\/p>\n
\"It's kind of neat to have two people that represent part of the breath of the Republican Party ... together in one room,\" Maine GOP Chairman Rick Bennett said. <\/p>\n
Bennett is hoping the joint appearance will help represent a theme of unity at the convention, a theme he says needs to permeate after the state's 2010 and 2012 conventions that saw strong division among tea party activists, libertarians and moderate Republicans. <\/p>\n
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\nPaul to speak at Maine GOP convention<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"