Rand Paul on Mitt Romney’s 2016 Run: ‘It’s Time for Some Fresh Blood’

TND Guest Contributor: Melissa Quinn |

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney doesn’t have the support of Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul as he explores a presidential bid.

In an exclusive interview with The Daily Signal today, Paul dismissed Romney’s possible third run and said that Romney had previously failed to “attract a big enough constituency to win.”

“I think he’s had his chance,”  Paul said, “and I think it’s time for some fresh blood.”

Romney won the Republican presidential nomination in 2012 but lost to President Barack Obama in the general election.

Last week, Romney told a group of donors that he was interested in pursuing a third White House bid. He’s since been making calls to former aides and donors to prepare for a run, which he told a top Republican he “almost certainly will” make.

Romney and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush have both confirmed their explorations of a presidential campaign. Though Paul has yet to formally throw his hat in the ring, he’s hinted he will run in 2016.

Of course, everyone has to be themselves, and I have my own style. I think this will be a popular item this year pic.twitter.com/ejuPwOAb6E

— Senator Rand Paul (@SenRandPaul) December 23, 2014

The Kentucky Republican did announce he will run for reelection to his Senate seat. Should he officially announce his candidacy for president, Paul would be making a bid for the Senate and White House simultaneously.

In the interview, Paul also addressed Republican lawmakers’ plans to defund Obama’s executive action on immigration. The House plans to vote on legislation that funds the Department of Homeland Security through September and stops the president from deferring deportation of 5 million illegal immigrants and granting them work permits.

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Melissa Quinn is a news reporter for The Daily Signal. Send an email to Melissa.

This article was published at The Daily Signal and is reprinted with permission.