Rand Paul launches 2016 Presidential Campaign

[-:Undertaker:-]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-32197054
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/...d-live-updates
http://edition.cnn.com/2015/04/07/po...resident-2016/

Senator Rand Paul launches 2016 Presidential Campaign

Senator Rand Paul has announced he is launching a 2016 presidential election campaign on the Republican ticket.

"We've come to take our country back from the special interests," he said in a campaign event in Kentucky.

Mr Paul, a Kentucky senator, stands out from the Republican pack because of his comparatively libertarian views.

He becomes the second Republican to enter the contest that concludes in November 2016.

Speaking in front of a large crowd at the official campaign kick-off, he said the "Washington machine" must be stopped from intruding in ordinary people's lives.

A first-term senator hailing from one of the country's most well-known libertarian families, Mr Paul first held elected office when he rode a wave of Tea Party popularity to the US senate in 2010.

Once there, he soon drew attention when he spoke for more than 12 hours in protest about President Barack Obama's drone policy and the nomination of John Brennan to lead the CIA.

Future President and First Lady? Dr Rand Paul and his wife Kelley Paul

Rand Paul Profile - at a glance

• an ophthalmologist and Kentucky senator
• a libertarian and Republican, also son of Ron Paul, who ran for president several times
• anti-surveillance and anti-drone, but conservative on same-sex marriage and abortion
• attacked by some in his party as being isolationist on foreign policy
• has testy relationship with senior party figures like John McCain and Mitch McConnell

Sen Paul in New Hampshire, an important primary state, last month

He has proven to be a thorn in the side of many of his fellow Republicans, openly challenging them on issues such as government surveillance, drone policies and sanctions on Iran and Cuba.

He has also questioned the size of the US military and proposed relaxing drug laws that lock up offenders at a high cost for tax payers.
It is not clear how successful Mr Paul will be amongst mainstream Republican supporters.

His father, former member of the US House of Representatives Ron Paul, ran several unsuccessful presidential campaigns that had strong appeal to libertarians who favour limited government and lower taxes.

Mr Paul is expected, however, to run a very tech-savvy campaign that could create appeal to new Republican demographics, like young voters.
Indeed, the campaign's official announcement first came in a post on his website several hours before he appeared on stage in Louisville, Kentucky.

"I am running for president to return our country to the principles of liberty and limited government," he said in the online message.
He joins Senator Ted Cruz as the two most prominent declared candidates.

He could face up to 20 other fellow Republicans doing battle for the nomination, including former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, both of whom are expected to enter the race soon.

Former Congressman Dr Ron Paul and his wife Carol Paul pictured at the announcement rally an hour ago

The triumphant individual is widely expected to battle with Hillary Clinton, the Democratic favourite and former US Secretary of State.

Ms Clinton has yet to officially announce her candidacy, but is expected to do so in the next two weeks.

Mr Paul attended Baylor University, but did not graduate. He later attended Duke Medical School.

Mr Paul lives in Bowling Green, Kentucky. His wife Kelly and he have three sons.

And so it begins.

His chances of securing the GOP nomination are good given he's inherited and built upon a campaign network from his father that has kept active and influential, as well as the fact that in a Presidential race with Hiliary Clinton he has a strong appeal amongst independent swing voters.

A fair way off of course, but the first states start voting in January 2016. The yanks always start very early.

Thoughts?

[Chippiewill]

Blimey, it's basically 2 years before he'd potentially take office. I can definitely see how they manage to spend billions in the process.

[Inseriousity.]

I wondered how long it'd be before you'd post this haha. Wonder how much his dad drags him down.

[peteyt]

Don't know much about him but not keen on his abortion policies.

[Aiden]

From the video he doesn't seem very presidential...

Good luck to him I guess.