Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul sits down for an interview alongside Utah Sen. Mike Lee following a fundraiser event at the Alta Club in Salt Lake City on Monday, March 17, 2014.
Matt Gade, Deseret News
SALT LAKE CITY Fresh from besting a crowd of potential candidates for president in a national poll, Rand Paul says he wants to grow the Republican Party big enough to win presidential elections again whether he runs or not.
"We need to welcome new members. We need more African-American members, more Hispanic members, more Jewish-American members, more Asian-American members," the Kentucky senator said in an interview Monday.
Paul spent the weekend snowboarding with his family in Park City and attended a fundraising breakfast for Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, at the Alta Club.
On Sunday, Paul did something that his father, Ron Paul, never did: top a list of possible GOP presidential candidates in a national poll.
A new CNN/ORC International survey showed 16 percent of Republicans and independents who lean toward the GOP say they would likely support Paul for the 2016 nomination.
Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., Mitt Romney's 2014 running mate, garnered 15 percent, while Texas Gov. Rick Perry had 11 percent. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee was the one other potential candidate to reach double digits in the poll that included Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas.
"I dont know if it's good luck or bad luck. It's still pretty early and I think it's better than not showing up in the poll," Paul said. He's not sure the showing makes any difference now but said it gives him the chance to talk about changing the party.
Kirk Jowers, head of the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics, agrees the GOP needs to reshape its message, noting Romney lost in 2012 primarily on social issues that attract women, minority and young voters.
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Rand Paul talks 2016 presidential race during Utah trip