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Rand Paul, Kelly Ashby and Rupert Murdoch attend the TIME 100 Gala in New York City in April 2014.

It's become something of a quadrennial tradition for Murdoch, the billionaire mogul whose observations on GOP politics are watched very closely within the party, to weigh in on the race for the White House. Two parts of his vast media empire -- Fox News Channel and the Wall Street Journal -- carry considerable influence in Republican circles. And Murdoch himself donated more than $32,000 to the Republican National Committee in 2014.

Earlier this year, Murdoch splashed cold water on another possible Mitt Romney presidential run, calling the 2012 Republican nominee a "terrible candidate" who had squandered his chance. Murdoch has spoken more positively about other potential candidates.

He likes former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush "very much," and he cautioned against writing off New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, whose administration is still facing a federal probe into traffic lane closures on the George Washington Bridge in 2013.

And Murdoch is definitely flirting with Paul.

"I personally like Rand Paul very much, and I am very impressed by his brain," Murdoch said earlier this year at the Manhattan Institute.

Late last month, on the same day that Ted Cruz announced his White House bid and appeared on Sean Hannity's Fox News show, Paul was interviewed by Megyn Kelly.

The programming schedule did not escape the notice of Murdoch.

"Just saw Rand Paul on Megan (sic) Kelly show," he said on Twitter. "Smart move ahead of Ted Cruz on Hannity...Contest warming up early, danger folks get tired."

Related: Rupert Murdoch backs away from comment about Muslims

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One person Rand Paul won't have to win over: Rupert ...