(CNN) - Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky said he will "think about" running for president in 2012 if his father, Republican Texas Rep. Ron Paul, decides not to launch a bid.
"The only decision that I've made is that I won't run against my father," Paul said Thursday speaking to the Louisville, Kentucky Rotary Club. "If he does not run, I have not ruled it out and I will think about it."
The Tea Party favorite's travel to early presidential nominating states has raised questions about the freshman senator's political intentions. Paul, who is scheduled to make trips to Iowa and New Hampshire in the coming weeks, said he's traveling to promote Tea Party stances and his book, "The Tea Party Goes to Washington."
But regardless of his ultimate decision, he said he wants his platform and the platform of the Tea Party represented in the next election.
"Our debt is a very serious problem and we need to address it," Paul said. "I think that position or platform needs to be represented by some candidate in 2012 and I want to at the very least influence who that candidate will be."
The elder Paul has said he is considering making a third presidential bid, but has yet to make a final decision.
Paul, an ophthalmologist, won election to the Senate in November beating Democrat Jack Conway with nearly 56 percent of the vote.
From CNN Politics
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I would love to give Rand the opportunity.
Obama 2012.
As a proud Progressive, I will admit that a Rand Paul / Marco Rubio ticket would be a formidable foe for the President. I am not saying they would be good, just tough. (also would llove for Rubio to leave Florida and take Scott with him)
Hell yes, he's got my vote!! Now if Christie get's on the ticket we might have something.
CNN would never post the alternative caption I have in mind for that photo of the Randroid.
"Hell yes, he's got my vote!! Now if Christie get's on the ticket we might have something."
Maybe if you make a trail of Reeses Pieces you can lure him out of the Taco Bell in Newark.
Neo-nazi's at their best , but don't think your gonna win cause we liberals have had enough .........................DEMOCRATS OF AMERICA COME OUT AND VOTE 2012 , SO WE CAN SAVE THE MIDDLE -CLASS FROM THESE NAZI'S
funny picture. i think rand is describing why he entered politics instead of gay porn...
The guy hasn't even finished one term in his current job, hasn't proven himself to be anything but loud. Why would he run for President, and why would anyone vote for him?
Put him in the same category as Bachmann: vanity campaigning.
Rand Paul has only been in office only a few months. Wouldn't it be prudent for Paul to prove himself in regards to his current position before thinking he has the experience to be President ?
If he had such ambitions , why did he run as Senator ? He hasn't yet gone to Israel for a two day look see show tour on Foreign policy.
Palin / Paul 2012
Rand Paul – like his father – is just another right-wing blowhard with no ideas and fewer brains. You have no chance. Accept it.
Well, if he runs, the GOP will have lost the argument about Obama's so-called " lack of experience". The question I have is whether or not Rand will employ the same group of black-shirted thugs who beat up that woman during one of their rallies last fall, then demanded she apologise to them.
Rand Paul has the same pedigree as Asaad of Syria: Opthomologist, and son of a loon. At least Rand's father has not killed anyone (yet).
This guy must be on crack.
I admire Rand and Ron's honesty...although do not agree with their views frequently. Ron was the ONLY Republican that ran for President in 2008 that had the guts to question the Iraq War. They are both Libertarians...not the usual mainstream Republicans.
Yes, another nitwit with no record. He's the new GOP Messiah of the day. I curse the day that 24 cable news was invented with the result that presidential elections start the morning after the previous one.
Maybe Rand can get some of those pesky amendments to our constitution repealed. The bottom line, the dope smoking meth head baggers have taken over the republican party. Wahoo! Fire Boner 2012!
Great. So now the three guys on the overpass will have signs that say "Rand Paul for President", instead of "Ron Paul for President". That should sell a couple dozen bottles of white-out nationwide.
I would never vote for any body back by the TEA PARTY and the Koch Brother. Now that I say that I wouldn't vote for Rand Paul no matter what.
I know the Democrats have sure improved my life since they took control of Congress and then the Executive branch, yahoo unemployment. What a bunch of douche bags!
Maybe if we leave a trail of Prozac we can lure someone out of their Momma's basement...
Don't make me gag. Rand Paul is worst than his daddy.
To be honest I think that he, among the so many Republicans that are considering a try for the run next year, is one the most articulated candidates that the OP could produce. He knows what he wants to do and can explain it without retorting to vague comparisons or empty suits argument.
That said I have to remind myself that this guy is against laws against racism/prejudice/hate of all kinds since (for him) people should have the right to be racist bigots (everybody have this right in the USA) AND BE FREE TO EXERCISE THIS RIGHT AT HIS/HER WILL (which would mean remove a lot of non-serious crimes from the penal codes).
Our debt was created by the republicans. Why can't one bagger out there admit it. Unfunded wars, unfunded tax cuts for the wealthy, unfunded drug programs, the Bush housing debacle, (inaugural address 2004) tax breaks for big oil, Tarp bail outs, and tax breaks for big corporations and foreign companies. Republicans then go after seniors, veterans, teachers, policemen, firemen, nurses, poor people, unemployed, those without health care to make up for their stupidity. Fire Boner 2012!
Rand, Run, Ron Paul, run run run. Lots of R's and through it all after the dust settles we will have Sarah Palin and Michele Bauchamann running on the Tea-Publican ticket.
How many more nutcases will they trot out?
This is a joke, right? Rand Paul is the guy who thinks businesses should be allowed to refuse service to people based on their race. That, alone, should disqualify him from running for President. But if there are people who are taking Bachmann, Palin, or Trump seriously, then I guess there are fools who think this "not board certified eye doctor" is a good choice. Yikes, Americans sure are showing the world how dumb they can be.
This hottie prefers cosmopolitans to tea. So, no thank you.
OBAMA/BIDEN 2012