Rand Paul is Going For the White House in 2016

07 Apr, 2015

“I am running for president to return our country to the principles of liberty and limited government,” he said in a message on his website.

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.

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 held a filibuster – a parliamentary tactic where senators delay actions by talking without pause for several hours – for over 12 hours in protest about President Barack Obama’s drone policy and the nomination of John Brennan to lead the CIA.

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.

Mr Paul is due to make his announcement in person in a ballroom in Louisville, Kentucky, later on Tuesday. 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.

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

BBC

Image politicalgarbagechute .com

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