Rand Paul Says GOP Must Evolve To Survive

Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) said Sunday that whether or not he makes a presidential bid for 2016, the GOP must “evolve and adapt” or face becoming a “permanent minority party.” Speaking to WABC Radio’s Aaron Klein, Paul said he hasn’t yet made a decision on 2016 but plans to “try to be part of the national debate” no matter what.

Paul noted there were areas of great concern for the future of the Republican party. “We are not popular,” he said, “and we have not been competitive out in California, on the West Coast, or in New England.”

He added that he would do well in regions where voters might not identify with the Republican party of today.

“So we think a little more of a libertarian Republican, someone who is a strict Constitutionalist, but also believes in a strong, defensive military but not necessarily in an overly aggressive or bellicose lets get involved in everybody’s civil war military, I think that has more appeal to independents and some people who have given up in the Republican Party,” Paul said.