James R. Carroll

WASHINGTON - While Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul has made no decision about running for president in 2016, he just made a 2016-looking move in Iowa.

The Republican lawmaker has beefed up his Iowa political operation by hiring former Iowa GOP chairman Steve Grubbs to be his chief strategist in the state.

That announcement came a short time ago from Paul's political action committee, RANDPAC.

"If we're to be successful in putting together an effective organization to advance the cause of liberty and freedom, we need to have successful state operations," Paul said in a statement. "Steve's experience as state chair, serving in the Iowa legislature and working for five previous presidential campaigns will help us build on what we already have in place."

Hey, note that reference to five previous presidential campaigns. Grubbs has worked for the White House campaigns of these Republicans: former Kansas Sen. Bob Dole (in 1988 and 1996), former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson (in 2008), Steve Forbes (in 2000) and Herman Cain (in 2012).

Paul already has A.J. Spiker, another former Iowa Republican Party chairman, on the RANDPAC team.

Grubbs is a political consultant based in Davenport, Iowa.

His goal is to help elect Republicans in the Hawkeye State this year and to build "an organization for something more significant thereafter," Grubbs said in an interview with Jennifer Jacobs of The Des Moines Register, a sister paper of The Courier-Journal.

"We will see if he runs for president," Grubbs said, referring to Paul. "If he does, I'd transition to his campaign."

"Senator Paul has the commitment to liberty and freedom that our nation is looking for in a time when the White House is relentlessly eroding both," Grubbs said in a statement accompanying the RANDPAC announcement. "I also believe that Rand Paul has the ability to broaden the base of our party to younger voters which is essential to the future."

RANDPAC Executive Director Doug Stafford said he has known Grubbs for more than a decade.

"He is well-respected in Republican politics and a good strategic thinker," Stafford said.

Paul has said he is contemplating a bid for the presidency but will not decide until after the conclusion of this year's mid-term elections in November.

The senator addressed the Iowa Republican Party state convention on June 14, telling attendees the party "can't do the same ole same old."