It's Not Just About Me': Rand Paul Says He's Trying To Help the Republican Party, Not Just Set Himself Up for a Presidential Run

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) has said the Republican brand "sucks" and needs improving.

But will his efforts to make the GOP hipper work if he's not the one running for president in 2016?

Paul talked bluntly about GOP image woes on CNN's "State of the Union" Sunday morning.

"If I came up to you and you were an African-American young woman in a college, what are the chances that you're gonna go, 'Oh, Republican, I want to join immediately,'?" he said.

Paul said that privacy rights, ending the War on Drugs and liberty-oriented policies can bring people who would traditionally vote against the GOP into the party's fold — if Republicans are able to figure out how to communicate those ideas.

"Our brand isn't so good, but if you get to our policies...I think Republicans have a chance," Paul said.

Then host Candy Crowley asked the big question: Do Paul's ideas transfer to other potential GOP candidates if Paul isn't the Republican presidential candidate, or do Paul's big ideas to appeal to young and minority voters pretty much only work if he's the nominee?

"I think good ideas will resonate and be replicated," Paul responded. "It's not just about me."

He said that the fact that he's been asked to help GOP campaigns across the country shows that, "other Republicans are recognizing the force of these ideas."

(H/T: Mediaite)

—

Follow Zach Noble (@thezachnoble) on Twitter