2016 presidential race

Rand Paul Begins Tour of Early Primary States

Todd Hatton, The Associated Press and John Null — Fri, 10 May 2013 20:19:47 +0000

Sen. Rand Paul, R. Ky., opened his presidential exploration tour Friday with a series of speaking engagements in Iowa.

Paul will then address a party banquet in New Hampshire and round out May with a speech at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California. He returns to Iowa in June, then heads to a South Carolina fundraiser.

Paul Considering 2016 Presidential Bid

Whitney Jones and The Associated Press — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 13:25:44 +0000

Kentucky’s junior Republican U.S. Senator Rand Paul says he’s considering a 2016 presidential bid but will not make a decision before next year.

Paul told attendees at a breakfast sponsored by The Christian Science Monitor he wants to be part of the national debate and that being considered a potential candidate gives him what he calls a larger microphone on issues.

Poll: Hillary Clinton Leads Rand Paul in Kentucky

Phillip M. Bailey (KPR) — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 18:13:29 +0000

In a new survey released Wednesday, Public Policy Polling found that in a hypothetical 2016 presidential race Democratic Hillary Clinton leads Republican Sen. Rand Paul in Kentucky.

Clinton is the outgoing U.S. Secretary of State who many Democrats want to run in four years, while Paul is a rising GOP star and Tea Party favorite. Both are rumored presidential candidates at this point, but the PPP survey shows Clinton ahead of Paul by a 5-point margin in the commonwealth at 47-to-42 percent.

A large reason for Clinton's lead is that she is far more popular in Kentucky than President Obama, who has struggled amongst state Democrats.

From PPP:

Clinton has a 48/42 favorability rating with Kentucky voters. By comparison Barack Obama's approval rating is 38/59.

Observers: Paul's RNC Speech Forceful

Kenny Colston (KPR) — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 20:20:48 +0000

U.S. Senator Rand Paul may not have received a prime time speech slot at this week's Republican National Convention, but he still managed to get attention.

Observers like University Louisville political science professor Dewey Clayton say the younger Paul is seen as a potential bridge between the current GOP establishment and they loyal followers of his father, Congressman Ron Paul.