Rand Paul seeks out allies from Romneys 2012 team

Yesterday at 9:13 PM The Kentucky senator has yet to announce his intentions for the 2016 presidential race, but says he's seriously considering a run.

By Steve Peoples The Associated Press

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

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Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., is scheduled to address the Maine Republican Party convention Saturday.

The Associated Press

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 fathers long-shot presidential runs.

Rons retired. Rons political career was obviously a help to Rand, but hes finished, said Doug Stafford, Rand Pauls former chief of staff who now leads his political action committee. This is about Rand.

The freshman senator attended the luncheon at the private-equity firm Solamere Capital, a Boston-area company led by Romney, his former national finance chairman Spencer Zwick and Romneys oldest son, Tagg. Later in the afternoon, Paul speaks to Harvard Universitys Institute of Politics, where one of Romneys most trusted aides serves as a fellow. He finishes his Boston swing by addressing a national conference of ophthalmologists, where he plans to draw from his personal experience as an eye doctor in an effort to broaden his image.

Paul has yet to announce his intentions for the 2016 presidential contest but says hes seriously considering a run.

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Rand Paul seeks out allies from Romneys 2012 team