Rand Paul: GOP must evolve, adapt

Sen. Rand Paul said on Sunday that he will make a decision on a 2016 presidential run within two years and plans to be a force in the refashioning the Republican Party regardless of whether he seeks the Oval Office.

“We will continue to pursue and, you know, try to make that decision over the next two years or so,” the Kentucky Republican told WABC Radio’s Aaron Klein when asked about a potential White House bid.


In the meantime, Paul said, he will “try to be part of the national debate,” adding that he hopes to play a major role in directing the future of the Republican Party.

“Whether or not I am going to run for president, that decision will come probably in two years, and [we] will in the meantime try to be part of the national debate,” Paul said. “We think the Republican Party needs to evolve and adapt, or we are going to become a permanent minority party.”

Paul added that there are major areas of concern for the party, noting, “We are not popular, and we have not been competitive out in California, on the West Coast or in New England.”

And his particular brand of conservatism could play well in those regions and with voters who might not identify with the Republican Party, Paul said.

“So we think a little more of a libertarian Republican, someone who is a strict constitutionalist but also believes in a strong, defensive military but not necessarily in an overly aggressive or bellicose let’s get involved in everybody’s civil war military, I think that has more appeal to independents and some people who have given up in the Republican Party,” Paul said.

The Republican senator also spoke with Klein about his trip to Israel, telling the radio host he wanted to “learn more first-hand information about the problems in the Middle East.”

Klein’s show airs Sunday nights 6-9 p.m. EST.