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Many people close to him believe a presidential run is on its way.

By Mike Allen

11/14/14 9:54 AM EST

Over steak and ravioli at The Liaison hotel on Capitol Hill on Wednesday night, about 50 aides, advisers and supporters of Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) got pumped up for a presidential campaign they now believe is a 95 percent certainty. The senator introduced his wife, Kelley, and were told a final check-in with his family is his last hoop before settling on a presidential campaign. Paul is still saying hell decide this spring, with April the target for a fly-around announcement in the early states.

Doug Stafford, RAND PAC executive director and architect of the national campaign, was emcee. Stafford sketched a mix of new ideas, blended with best practices from past successful campaigns. Planning is so far advanced that top aides are discussing a counterpart to George W. Bushs Mavericks/Pioneers/Rangers program for bundlers and fundraisers. Paul gave optimistic remarks that left little doubt about his intentions. Expect a spurt of hiring after the first of the year.

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(Also on POLITICO: Rand Paul opposes NSA reform bill)

The campaign-to-be combines family loyalists who served Rands father, former Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas), plus new talent, including tech wizards and social-media Svengalis. Look for a Senate-reelection announcement by Paul as soon as next week, after he returns to Kentucky from the Hill. He has lined up endorsements from state Republican leaders, and now will circle back to them. The campaigns will run in tandem. If Paul wins the GOP nomination, he might drop the Senate race.

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Rand gathering leaves little doubt on '16

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) is distancing himself from major intelligence reform legislation written by Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy and supported by potential Paul 2016 rival Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas).

Paul plans to oppose Leahys bill that would curb bulk data collection of phone records by the National Security Agency because he believes the legislation does not enact enough sweeping changes to the surveillance program, an aide said Friday.

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Sen. Paul does not feel that Sen. Leahys reforms go far enough. There are significant problems with the bill, the most notable being an extension of the Patriot Act through December 2017, the aide said.

Paul has made his opposition to government surveillance a hallmark of his travels as he campaigned for candidates this year. He even traveled to speak at the University of California at Berkeley this spring to rail against the assault on privacy that comes from the NSA programs.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) plans to bring the Leahy legislation to the floor as soon as next week. The bill has brought together liberals and conservatives like Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Cruz.

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Rand Paul opposes NSA reform bill

Sen Rand Paul Travels To Louisiana To Aid GOP Challenger In Runoff Election - America #39;s Newsroom
Sen Rand Paul Travels To Louisiana To Aid GOP Challenger In Runoff Election - America #39;s Newsroom =========================================== **Please Click Below to SUBSCRIBE for ...

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Sen Rand Paul Travels To Louisiana To Aid GOP Challenger In Runoff Election - America's Newsroom - Video

By Ashley Killough, CNN

updated 7:45 PM EST, Wed November 12, 2014

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Washington (CNN) -- Sen. Rand Paul made clear to his team of political advisers Wednesday that he'll run for re-election to the Senate in 2016 and reiterated that he won't make a decision on a presidential run until next spring, according to a spokesman.

His strategists met behind closed doors at a Washington hotel Wednesday to sketch out a road map for 2015 and review the past two years, during which Paul traveled to 35 states campaigning for candidates and raising his national profile.

Paul, a Republican from Kentucky, attended most of the meetings as well as a group dinner in the evening, said spokesman Sergio Gor.

The sessions, led by RAND PAC executive director Doug Stafford, covered fundraising performance, grassroots engagement, communications, outreach and other areas of interest, though Gor did not give specifics.

Paul has long made it known that he plans to campaign for a second term in the Senate, but questions have emerged over whether he can run for his seat and for the White House at the same time. Kentucky law prohibits candidates from appearing on the same ballot for two different offices.

Attempts to change the law were made last year in the GOP-controlled state Senate but stalled in the Democratic-controlled state House. Attempts by Republicans to retake control of the state House in last week's elections were unsuccessful, meaning the law will likely stay in the books for 2016.

Some of Paul's supporters have argued the law could be challenged, while others say there are ways he can get around it so that his name won't appear on the ballot twice. One such scenario would mean the state party changes its presidential primary to a caucus system.

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Rand Paul meets with advisers on 2016

Sen. Rand Paul, Kentucky Republican. (Associated Press) ** FILE ** more >

There is no announcement in the immediate future, but allies and advisers of Sen. Rand Paul huddled Wednesday in Washington, D.C., at a much-ballyhooed gathering to hash out strategy ahead of a possible presidential bid in 2016 for the Kentucky Republican.

The day of meetings focused on fundraising performance, grassroots engagement, communications, outreach and other areas of interest, a Paul spokesman said.

Doug Stafford, the executive director of Mr. Pauls political action committee, RAND PAC, led various sessions on whats been accomplished over the last year and what next year will look like.

Mr. Paul, who has openly said hes considering a run for the White House, has made multiple trips to early presidential primary states and has been one of the most outspoken members of the Republican party in calling for the GOP to reach out to groups like blacks and young people to expand and grow its ranks.

Mr. Paul attended most of the meetings, including a group dinner in the evening, and while a decision on a presidential run wont happen until the spring, Mr. Paul made clear he will be running for re-election to the U.S. Senate, according to the spokesman.

That last detail is key; while Republicans had an overwhelmingly successful election performance this year, Democrats managed to hang onto the statehouse in Kentucky, which means a state law precluding him from appearing multiple times on one ballot is likely to remain intact.

A few work-arounds to the law have been broached. The Wall Street Journal said the state party could turn its nominating contest into a caucus, or Mr. Paul could decline to participate altogether in the states presidential primary.

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Rand Paul advisers huddle in D.C. ahead of possible 2016 bid