Sen. Rand Paul on Wednesday outlined his vision for the future of the Republican Party, offering a conservative case for embracing the libertarian-leaning wing of the GOP, of which he is a pillar.

Paul, a Kentucky Republican and possible 2016 presidential contender, outlined several more libertarian issues that could help the party move forward during a speech at a patriotically themed gala in Washington.

To some thats sort of still a bad word, Paul said of libertarian. To others its a word that may expand the party.

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In the speech sponsored by the American Principles Project, a deeply conservative organization with a special focus on social issues, Paul offered up jokes and wry commentary. But he also sought to bridge the oft-perceived gap between libertarians and strict social conservatives.

Libertarian doesnt mean libertine, he said. To many of us libertarian means freedom and liberty. But we also see that freedom needs tradition.

He added: I dont see libertarianism as, you can do whatever you want. There is a role for government, theres a role for family, theres a role for marriage, theres a role for the protection of life.

Paul stressed that the value of marriage is economic, as well as moral and religious, and that those virtues can be communicated through families and communities as well as through the government.

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He also singled out criminal justice reform as one area that could help the Republican Party expand and improve its brand.

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Paul: 'Libertarian' isn't 'libertine'