Rand Paul campaigns: New kind of Republican

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who often has been in conflict with his own party as well as Democrats, on Tuesday announced his candidacy for president, portraying himself as a "new kind of Republican."

Paul, a tea party favorite, began his campaign with a rally in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, then planned quick stops in several early nominating states.

"I have a message. A message that is loud and clear. … We've come to take our country back," he said.

He blasted "special interests" that use Washington as "their personal piggy bank" and the government for invading "every nook and cranny of our lives."

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"I have a vision for America. I want true economic boom that lifts all Americans, a return to government restrained by the Constitution."

He becomes the second declared GOP candidate, after Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas.

Commentators said he would appeal to the tea party and independents who lean libertarian.

CNN immediately noted his "dogged advocacy of civil liberties combined with an anti-interventionist foreign policy and general support for family values."

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"While he bills himself as a conservative realist, Paul still tries to wear the mantle as the Republican most reluctant to take the country into war," the report said.

CNN quoted Paul from months ago, saying: "I can tell you there will be one loud voice in our party saying, think of the unintended consequence. Think about what we're going to accomplish and whether it will work before we go to war. I promise you that will always be something I take very, very seriously."

CNN said the "cautious foreign policy dance has drawn criticism from his father's supporters, who say Paul has become too moderate, and from hawkish Republicans who fear he wouldn't go far enough as commander in chief to tackle problems overseas."

"Democrats and some Republicans, meanwhile, have accused him of flip-flopping and pandering to donors."

He's the son of retired Republican Rep. Ron Paul, a three-time presidential candidate, from whom he splits on some issues, particularly foreign policy, where the elder Paul leans more libertarian.

Associated Press reported Rand Paul's goal of returning America "to the principles of liberty and limited government."

He could end up being one of more than a dozen candidates for the GOP nomination.

Along with Cruz, the field could include Jeb Bush, Mike Huckabee, Ben Carson, Scott Walker, Marco Rubio, Rick Perry, Rick Santorum, Bobby Jindal, Donald Trump, Carly Fiorina and John Kasich.

The AP said it was unclear how much support Paul can muster in the Republican mainstream.

Paul warned supporters of the burgeoning national debt, noting that under President Obama, the nation is borrowing "a million dollars a minute."

"Quit spending money we don't have," he said to cheers.

"Liberty, opportunity and justice" is for all Americans, he said. "One thing is for certain, we cannot, must not dilute our message or give up on our principles."

"If we nominate a candidate who is simply Democrat-lite, what's the point?" he said. "We need to go boldly forward under the banner of liberty."

He charged Washington is "horribly broken."

"We the people must rise up and demand action. Congress will never balance the budget unless you force them to do so," Paul said.

He also called for congressional term limits, promoted his "Read the Bills" act, promoted maximizing freedom, praised America for fighting against tyranny and promoted capitalism as the victor over communism. It all makes America the goal of many around the globe, he said.

"People are literally dying to come here," he said.

See part of Rand Paul's announcement: