DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 6: U.S. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) delivers a speech titled, "Renewing the Opportunity for Prosperity: Economic Freedom Zones" at the Detroit Economic Club December 6, 2013 in Detroit, Michigan. As part of his plan to help save Detroit, the largest city in U.S. history to go bankrupt, and other economically depressed areas, the Senator will introduce legislation that will create so-called "economic freedom zones" by lowering taxes in those areas and change the Visa rules to help make it easier for foreign entrepreneurs to immigrate to economically depressed cities. (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images) Bill Pugliano, Getty Images

We are thinking about it, and sort of looking at what it would take to run, he told fourth-grader Clay W. during an interview for a project at Potter Gray Elementary School in Bowling Green. Its a big job, but we probably wont make our decision for about a year.

Pauls coy response sounds strikingly familiar, tracing the will-they-or-wont-they pattern his dad set before his third presidential run in 2012. Already the object of heightened scrutiny after some show-stopping stunts on the Senate floor, Paul mentioned that he does worry about facing grief from the media should he decide to launch a national campaign.

It is a big job to do, to run for president, he said. It would take traveling around the country, it would mean Id be home less time, get to see my kids less time. And the people in the media, they get meaner and meaner when you run for president. Because they pick you apart and say, Your clothes dont look good; your hair looks bad; you need a haircut.

Paul said last fall he believes the Republican Party could use a bit of libertarian infusion, and pundits have suggested he could be more than just a token candidate.

His mother, Carol Paul, told Vogue in an extensive profile on the political dynasty that her son will declare either way after 2014; first, she said, groundwork has to be set. His wife Kelley, though, seemed less sold on the idea.

In this day and age, it's mostly about character assassination," she said. "When I think of the tens of millions of dollars in opposition research that they'd be aiming right at us and our family that's what it's about."

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Rand Paul “50-50” on presidential run