Rand Paul hits Obama for playing 'Mickey Mouse games'

(CNN) – The Obama administration's decision to close for tours while at the same time releasing hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to Egypt amounts to political gamesmanship, according to Sen. Rand Paul.

Reacting to Secretary of State John Kerry's move last week to release $250 million in economic aid to Egypt, Paul on Monday harked back to the news that tours of the executive mansion have been suspended as mandatory across-the-board spending cuts take effect.

"These Mickey Mouse games he does, then gives $250 million in addition to the couple billion we already give to Egypt. I think it's a disgrace," Paul said on CNN's "The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer."

Later, he offered up what he said were the lessons gleaned from his father's run for president. Former Rep. Ron Paul ran for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination, garnering support from libertarian factions of the Republican Party.

"One thing he did figure out is how to appeal to youth. Youth are captivated by standing on principle," Rand Paul said, pointing to both his and his father's commitment to civil liberties.

Republicans would be smart to adopt some of those principles, he argued.

"The candidates we're putting forward and what we're talking about as Republicans isn't appealing to a large enough group of people. And if we want to be the party from the red states - the red states are getting redder - but the purple and blue states are leaving us behind," Paul said.