Rand Paul launches 2016 bid with attack on GOP

Rand Paul United States Senate member Randal Howard "Rand" Paul is an American physician and...

Rand Paul
United States Senate member
Randal Howard "Rand" Paul is an American physician and politician from Kentucky. In office since 2011, Paul currently serves in the United States Senate as a member of the Republican Party. Wikipedia
Born: January 7, 1963 (age 52), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Spouse: Kelley Ashby (m. 1990)
Office: Senator (R-KY) since 2011
Parents: Carol Wells, Ron Paul
Education: Duke University, Duke University School of Medicine, Baylor University
Children: Robert Paul, William Paul, Duncan Paul

LOUISVILLE - Rand Paul took aim at Washington and his fellow Republicans as he formally launched his presidential bid on Tuesday, railing against his party for catering to special interests and framing himself as an anti-establishment figure with broad voter appeal.

The first-term Kentucky senator and ophthalmologist sought to set himself apart from both his father Ron Paul — an uncompromising libertarian figure who made three unsuccessful runs for the White House — and the rest of the Republican field.

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“Too often, when Republicans have won, we’ve squandered our victory by becoming part of the Washington machine,” Paul said during a rousing rally with chants of “President Paul” from the packed crowd at the Galt House Hotel. “If we nominate a candidate who is simply Democrat-light, why bother? What’s the point?”

Paul laid out a staunchly conservative vision that he said was also inclusive, aimed at empowering poorer Americans through greater education and economic opportunities.