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 The first-term senator from Kentucky, a libertarian with a
reputation for challenging party orthodoxy, criticized both
Republicans and Democrats for helping to drive up the federal debt
and reduce personal liberties.
He cast himself as an anti-establishment reformer who could break
partisan gridlock and win new converts to the party, saying his
fellow Republicans fall prey to the allure of special interests in
Washington.
"The Washington machine that gobbles up our freedoms and invades
every nook and cranny of our lives must be stopped," he told
cheering supporters while standing on a flag-draped stage in
Louisville, Kentucky.
"Both parties and the entire political system are to blame," he
said. "Too often, when Republicans have won, we've squandered our
victory by becoming part of the Washington machine. That's not who I
am."
Paul is the second major Republican to jump into the 2016 race after
Senator Ted Cruz of Texas. A crowded field is expected, with
candidates competing hard for constituencies ranging from the
Christian right to traditional Wall Street Republicans.
 In a speech that kicked off a four-day campaign trip to the early
voting states of Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina, the
52-year-old former eye surgeon took a shot at unnamed Republican
foes, warning against nominating someone from the party who is a
"Democrat-lite."
Republican strategists said Paul's attack was a familiar effort to
stand out in a big field.
"Rand Paul is trying to cast himself as the anti-big government,
anti-D.C. machinery, anti-establishment candidate," Republican
strategist Ana Navarro said. "He's made an art form out of it and
made a name for himself in the process."
IN THE SECOND TIER
Paul is now in the second tier of Republican candidates, drawing the
support of 8.4 percent of Republicans, according to a March
Reuters/Ipsos tracking poll.
He is behind former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, who has said he is
exploring a bid, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and former Arkansas
Governor Mike Huckabee. He is in a statistical tie with four other
Republicans: Cruz, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, neurosurgeon
Ben Carson and Senator Marco Rubio of Florida.
Paul, who entered Congress on the Tea Party wave of 2010, has been
reaching out in recent months to attract more mainstream voters and
to reach minorities and young voters who have not favored
Republicans in the past.
"The message of liberty, opportunity and justice is for all
Americans, whether you wear a suit, a uniform or overalls, whether
you're white or black, rich or poor," he said.
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He proposed economic freedom zones that could aid impoverished areas
like Detroit and eastern Kentucky, and he highlighted growing
inequality in America while praising his sons for working in minimum
wage jobs while in college.
"Under the watch of both parties, the poor seem to get poorer and
the rich get richer. Trillion-dollar government stimulus packages
has only widened the income gap," Paul said.
On many issues, however, Paul stands in line with other Republicans,
such as his opposition to Obamacare and to abortion.
In addition, Paul, who once mounted a 13-hour filibuster to call
attention to the United States’ use of drones, in recent months has
moved to align himself more with the hawks in his party. He proposed
an increase in military spending last month, and he told the
Louisville crowd he envisioned a national defense "unparalleled,
undefeatable and unencumbered by overseas nation-building."
"Let's quit building bridges in foreign countries and use that money
to build some bridges here at home," Paul said.
The one-time firebrand who wants to scale back the authority of the
Federal Reserve also has been quietly courting Wall Street donors
and raising money for fellow Republicans, at times upsetting the
grassroots activists who have made him a national figure.
In Louisville, the crowd cheered loudly when he introduced his
father, Ron Paul, the libertarian former congressman who built an
army of loyal activists during failed presidential campaigns in 2008
and 2012.
Paul promised to put a quick end to National Security Agency
surveillance of phone records and other activities and said he would
campaign with "the Constitution in one hand and the Bill of Rights
in the other."
(Additional reporting by Emily Stephenson and Steve Holland; Writing
by John Whitesides; Editing by Leslie Adler)
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