Rand Paul's balancing act: What to do with Ron Paul's legacy?
In 2012, Texas Republican Rep. Ron Paul was a force to be reckoned with in the presidential race. His group of supporters - including many young voters - was limited, but passionate. Though he wasn't considered a serious contender for the Republican nomination, he had a strong showing in both the Iowa caucus and New Hampshire primary, finishing third in Iowa with 21.5 percent of the vote and second in New Hampshire with 22.9 percent.
Now his son, Texas Sen. Rand Paul, is contemplating his own presidential bid. Both men come from the libertarian wing of the party, though Doug Wead, who has worked for both Pauls, calls the elder Paul a "classic libertarian" and the younger one a "practical libertarian."
Play Video
CBS News Political Director John Dickerson talks about Sen. Rand Paul's day of meeting with people in New Hampshire -- even though he won't make ...
And while Ron Paul was generally viewed as someone who ran for president to prove a point, his son could be a serious contender for the nomination. What he has to do is navigate the tricky dance of keeping his father's supporters engaged and on his side while attracting a whole other group of voters who might not have given Ron Paul a chance.
"His dad's base is not going to be enough,so he's got to find ways to expand the base and become, if not the favorite of different factions of the party, at least acceptable," University of New Hampshire Political Science Professor Dante Scala told CBS News. "He has to do that in such a way that doesn't make his father's base voters feel as if they're being betrayed or that Ron Paul's legacy is being compromised."
Politics isn't the first arena where Paul has followed in his father's footsteps. Like Ron Paul, who had a medical career that preceded his first run for office, Rand Paul also started out in the field of medicine. He was always active in politics, serving in the Young Conservatives of Texas club during college at Baylor University. He left for Duke University to attend medical school before completing his undergraduate degree, and he opened an ophthalmology practice in Bowling Green, Kentucky, after he completed his residency.
All the while, though, Paul was helping his father with his congressional campaign and 2008 presidential bid, and he started a group called the Kentucky Taxpayers Union in his home state. His rise coincided with the rise of the tea party in 2009, and in 2010 he defeated Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson, the establishment pick for Kentucky's vacant Senate seat, to become a senator.
Play Video
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ken.) used old-school filibuster tactics, speaking for 12 hours and 52 minutes to hold-up John Brennan's CIA nomination. CBS Ne...
Continued here:
Rand Paul's balancing act: What to do with Ron Paul's legacy?
- Opinion - Bill Straub: Rand Paul shows backbone in recent efforts to kill Trump's damaging tariff policy - NKyTribune - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
 - Kentucky Senator Rand Paul urges compromise to open government - WAVE News - October 30th, 2025 [October 30th, 2025]
 - Rand Paul Takes to Fox News Sunday to Condemn Trump Over Shutdown Gridlock, Extrajudicial Killings On Suspected Drug Boats - Yahoo - October 30th, 2025 [October 30th, 2025]
 - How Rand Paul says Congress can work together to end government shutdown - The Courier-Journal - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
 - PolitiFact FL: Is Rand Paul right 25% of Coast Guard searches of suspected drug boats come up empty? - WLRN - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
 - Sen. Rand Paul calls for immediate action to pay federal employees and end shutdown - LEX18 - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
 - US warships in Caribbean, Rand Paul reaction - WPSD Local 6 - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
 - Rand Paul Pitches Novel Shutdown-Solving Idea to Trump - NOTUS News of the United States - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
 - GOP Sen. Rand Paul Again Slams Trump Admin Over Strikes Off Venezuelan Coast: 'Akin To What China, Iran Do' - Latin Times - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
 - 'They are afraid': Rand Paul thrashes fellow Republicans for not having the 'guts' to stand up against Trump in fear of being ostracized - The Mary... - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
 - Rand Paul: "In the one instance you're killed on sight. On the other instance, if you're captured, we just say, 'Oh well, we're gonna send you... - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
 - Rand Paul Says 20 GOP Senators Are Grumbling Over Trump Policy But Dont Have the Guts to Criticize the President - Yahoo - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
 - Recipe for Chaos: Rand Paul Piles on More Harsh Trump Criticism After Being Called Nasty Liddle Guy - Yahoo - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
 - Colin McEnroe (opinion): Chasing unity with Rand Paul and Aaron Rodgers - CT Insider - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
 - SEN. RAND PAUL: TRUMP IS CARRYING OUT SUMMARY EXECUTIONS OF VENEZUELANS "I would call them extrajudicial killings. This is akin to what China... - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
 - Rand Paul on Trump's strikes on boats: "I would call them extrajudicial killings. This is akin to what China does, what Iran does with drug... - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
 - Rand Paul Trashes Republicans for Always Caving to Trump - The New Republic - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
 - Rand Paul: Trump could see all hell break loose with further involvement in Ukraine, Venezuela - Yahoo - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
 - GOP Senator Rand Paul Cut From Fancy White House Lunch for Voting Against Trump - The Daily Beast - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
 - Rand Paul pokes back at Trump after snub from White House reception - USA Today - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
 - Rand Paul says he was not invited to Rose Garden lunch - Politico - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
 - Rand Paul Slams Trump Admin For Strikes On Alleged Drug Boats: 'It's Summary Execution!' - HuffPost - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
 - Rand Paul Again Slams Trump Over Strikes On Alleged Drug Boats Off Venezuela: 'A Lot Of Reasons To Be Worried' - Latin Times - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
 - Sen. Rand Paul says he was not invited to Republican luncheon - WNKY - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
 - Sen. Rand Paul to Newsmax: Persistent Critic of Overspending - KABC-AM - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
 - Rand Paul visits Johnson County to talk Eastern Kentucky tourism - Mountain Top Media - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
 - Rand Paul: 'All of these people have been blown up without us knowing their name' - Politico - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
 - Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul explains why he is voting against spending bill - WDRB - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
 - Rand Paul responds to Trump post calling him a 'nasty' guy. What he said on 'Meet the Press' - The Courier-Journal - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
 - Rand Paul Awkwardly Confronted About Trump Calling Him a Nasty Liddle Guy - Yahoo - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
 - Rand Paul Thought He Could Get Away with Bucking Trump. He Was Wrong. - NOTUS News of the United States - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
 - Rand Paul Responds Humbly to Trump Calling Him 'Nasty Little Guy': 'Still One of His Best Supporters' | Video - TheWrap - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
 - Rand Paul Again Slams Trump Over Military Pressure On Venezuela: 'Regime Change Isn't Always What You Expect' - Latin Times - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
 - Donald Trump posted a vicious attack on Rand Paul, but it hasnt scared the loyal senator away. - Yahoo - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
 - Sen. Rand Paul questions legality of Trump administrations strikes on alleged drug traffickers - Washington Times - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
 - Kentucky US Sen. Rand Paul explains why he is voting against spending bill - WDRB - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
 - Rand Paul says he will support paying federal employees but not ending shutdown: Full interview - Yahoo - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
 - Sen. Rand Paul says Caribbean boat strikes 'go against all of our tradition' - NBC News - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
 - Sen. Rand Paul introduces tourism project for EKY - WKYT - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
 - Senator Rand Paul highlights new tourism initiative to boost Eastern Kentucky economy - LEX18 - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
 - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS WITH UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, SEN. RAND PAUL AND SEN. TIM KAINE THIS SUNDAY ON MEET THE PRESS WITH KRISTEN WELKER... - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
 - Trump Slams Rand Paul After He Moves To Block Military Pressure Campaign Against Venezuela: 'Nasty Liddle' Guy' - Latin Times - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
 - Senator Rand Paul announces new organization to focus on Eastern Kentucky tourism - WOWK 13 News - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
 - Rand Paul COVID vaccine theories aren't helping to bridge public health divide | Opinion - Yahoo - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
 - Rand Paul COVID vaccine theories aren't helping to bridge public health divide | Opinion - The Courier-Journal - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
 - Press Release: Rand Paul Proposes Amendment to Terminate Federal Reserve's Assistance to Major Banks in 2026 NDAA - Quiver Quantitative - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
 - Republican Sen. Rand Paul Set To Cosponsor Initiative To Prevent Trump Admin From Striking Boats In The Caribbean - Latin Times - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
 - Press Release: Chairman Rand Paul Introduces Safeguarding Personal Information Act of 2025 - Quiver Quantitative - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
 - Article | Rand Paul blocks Senate extension of cyber information sharing law - POLITICO Pro - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
 - There has to be someone who 'believes debt is a problem,' says Sen. Rand Paul - Fox Business - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
 - Sen. Rand Paul weighs in on government shutdown, believes it will be 'short lived' - Yahoo - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
 - Press Release: Senator Rand Paul Releases Report on TSA's Targeting of Veterans and Lawmakers - Quiver Quantitative - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
 - Sen. Rand Paul: Bidens TSA Targeted Veterans, Lawmakers, Mask Critics, and Air Marshals Wife - The Daily Signal - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
 - Rand Paul Slams GOP Funding Bill on Fox News Warns It Will Wipe Out DOGE Cuts - Yahoo - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
 - Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul appears on 'Face the Nation' on CBS - WLKY - September 30th, 2025 [September 30th, 2025]
 - Sen. Rand Paul says he would "prefer not to have troops" in Portland, but supports Trump's action - CBS News - September 30th, 2025 [September 30th, 2025]
 - Transcript: Sen. Rand Paul on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," Sept. 28, 2025 - Yahoo - September 30th, 2025 [September 30th, 2025]
 - Targeted by Trump, Rep. Thomas Massie teams up with Rand Paul for district tour - Louisville Public Media - September 30th, 2025 [September 30th, 2025]
 - Trump-targeted GOP congressman Massie tours his Kentucky district with support from Sen. Rand Paul - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - September 28th, 2025 [September 28th, 2025]
 - Rand Paul quips Kimmels thanks is first time Ive ever been on his program - Kentucky Lantern - September 25th, 2025 [September 25th, 2025]
 - Sen. Rand Paul, Rep. Thomas Massie host forums with Northern Kentucky voters - WLWT - September 25th, 2025 [September 25th, 2025]
 - He is so bad hes lost Rand Paul and Ted Cruz: Nicolle Wallace on Trumps crackdown on free speech - MSNBC News - September 25th, 2025 [September 25th, 2025]
 - Rand Paul calls NKY a bastion of conservatism at Thomas Massie Rally - LINK nky - September 25th, 2025 [September 25th, 2025]
 - Rep. Thomas Massie tours district with Sen. Rand Paul - Spectrum News - September 25th, 2025 [September 25th, 2025]
 - Rand Paul and Ted Cruz: The FCCs phony right-wing critics - Salon.com - September 25th, 2025 [September 25th, 2025]
 - Rand Paul quips Kimmels thanks is first time Ive ever been on his program - somerset-kentucky.com - September 25th, 2025 [September 25th, 2025]
 - Rand Paul vows to protect free speech but says theres no right to employment - Kentucky Lantern - September 23rd, 2025 [September 23rd, 2025]
 - GOPs Rand Paul Says He Will Fight FCC Meddling in Free Speech - Bloomberg - September 23rd, 2025 [September 23rd, 2025]
 - Rand Paul vows to protect free speech but says theres no right to employment - The Paducah Sun - September 23rd, 2025 [September 23rd, 2025]
 - New Bill: Senator Rand Paul introduces S. 2769: Safeguarding Personal Information Act of 2025 - Quiver Quantitative - September 23rd, 2025 [September 23rd, 2025]
 - Sen. Rand Paul rips FCC chair Brendan Carr over Jimmy Kimmel threat: No business weighing in on this - New York Post - September 23rd, 2025 [September 23rd, 2025]
 - RAND PAUL BLASTS FCC OVER KIMMEL SUSPENSION: ABSOLUTELY INAPPROPRIATE Sen. Rand Paul is torching FCC Chairman Brendan Carr. Carr appeared to pressure... - September 23rd, 2025 [September 23rd, 2025]
 - Sen. Rand Paul discusses wide range of topics on NBC's 'Meet the Press' - WLKY - September 23rd, 2025 [September 23rd, 2025]
 - Rand Paul's last-minute demands push key cybersecurity law to the brink - Axios - September 21st, 2025 [September 21st, 2025]
 - You have your time, Bernie: Rand Paul and Sanders in Senate dustup over letting RFK-fired CDC chief answer - Yahoo - September 21st, 2025 [September 21st, 2025]
 - Senator Rand Paul speaks on looming government shutdown - Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW) - September 21st, 2025 [September 21st, 2025]
 - Rand Paul clashes with Bernie Sanders, former CDC director over vaccinating infants - Fox News - September 19th, 2025 [September 19th, 2025]
 - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS WITH GOV. JOSH SHAPIRO, SEN. RAND PAUL AND MEL ROBBINS THIS SUNDAY ON MEET THE PRESS WITH KRISTEN WELKER - NBCUniversal News... - September 19th, 2025 [September 19th, 2025]
 - You have your time, Bernie: Rand Paul and Sanders in Senate dustup over letting RFK-fired CDC chief answer - The Independent - September 19th, 2025 [September 19th, 2025]
 - Senator Rand Paul speaks on political temperature in Washington - Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW) - September 19th, 2025 [September 19th, 2025]