Rand Paul's Halloween costume: the national debt

Rand Paul strolled into his Halloween party Friday night wearing a red turtle neck shirt adorned with the words "$18 trillion."

"I'm the national debt," he said. "That's very scary."

The event — a costume party at Buzzard Billy's in downtown Des Moines — drew a crowd of about 70 people, most of them young and eager to see the U.S. senator from Kentucky.

"He's uncompromising," said Tony Krebsbach, a 28-year-old accountant from Stacyville who dressed as a Jedi, "defender of the Republic," for the event. "He's not afraid to reach out to other people. The Republicans don't reach out. I guess I'm a firm believer in the message, and I'm a firm believer that it appeals to everyone and not just one group of people."

Paul told The Des Moines Register that events like these are important in helping to further his goal of reaching out to younger audiences. Paul has made a point to focus much of his organizing energy on college campuses.

He said he's confident his team can turn enthusiasm into votes on caucus night.

"I understand it might snow. It might be cold," Paul said. "But we can get them out. Kids are more motivated than you think."

Here's a look at some of the best costumes of the night, starting with Paul's "national debt" costume.

1. Rand Paul as the "National Debt"

2. Angie Davidson, 40, Wapelo, as "Death to Lady Liberty, courtesy of the Washington Establishment"

3. Sam Astma, 20, Des Moines, as "Zombie Ben Franklin"

4. Gene Nassif, 21, Des Moines, as "an Obamacare Surgeon"

5. Brent Roske, host of Roske on Politics, as "Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter"