With eye on White House, Rand Paul seeks new allies among Romney's 2012 team, expanded appeal

The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION

By: Steve Peoples, The Associated Press

Friday, Apr. 25, 2014 at 6:33 PM | Comments: 0

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FILE - This April 8, 2014 file photo shows Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky. speaking on Capitol Hill in Washington. Fresh voices in the U.S. Senate are speaking loudly on foreign policy, a new generation of Republicans and Democrats who reflect a war-weary nation cautious about Americas next moves. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

BOSTON - Fighting to move beyond his father's shadow, Sen. Rand Paul is crafting new alliances with the Republican Party establishment during a Northeast tour that began Friday in Boston.

The 51-year-old Kentucky Republican, son of libertarian hero and former Texas Rep. Ron Paul, headlined an afternoon luncheon hosted by top lieutenants of former presidential nominee Mitt Romney a private meeting that comes as Paul weighs a 2016 presidential bid of his own. To succeed in a national campaign, however, those close to Paul acknowledge that he must broaden his appeal beyond the tea party and libertarian-minded activists who rallied behind his father's long-shot presidential runs.

Paul offered a unique blend of what he called "libertarian-ish" politics while addressing Harvard University's Institute of Politics Friday afternoon.

"The Republican Party will adapt, evolve or die," Paul declared.

He railed against perceived civil liberties abuses in the Obama administration, while suggesting his party should focus less attention on social issues. He also said the GOP should abandon calls to deport millions of immigrants and offered that armed school officials might help prevent further mass shootings.

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With eye on White House, Rand Paul seeks new allies among Romney's 2012 team, expanded appeal