Sen. Rand Paul joins 2016 US presidential campaign

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (AP) — Sen. Rand Paul, a favorite of the conservative tea party movement and frequent antagonist of leaders of his own Republican Party, declared Tuesday that he is running for U.S. president "to return our country to the principles of liberty and limited government."

Paul, a first-term senator from Kentucky, kicked off his White House campaign in his home state with a combative message against Washington and his fellow Republicans. He begins the 2016 race as the second fully declared candidate, behind Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, but he could face as many as 20 rivals for the Republican nomination before the primary process starts in January.

It's unclear how much support Paul can muster in the Republican mainstream. His father, former U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination several times, appealing to libertarians who favor limited government and oppose tax increases.

"I worry that the opportunity and hope are slipping away for our sons and daughters," Paul said. "It seems to me that both parties and the entire political system are to blame."

Two other Republicans expected to soon enter the race, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, are considered early front-runners. Whoever becomes the Republican nominee is widely expected to face Hillary Rodham Clinton in the general election. The former secretary of state, who is the heavy favorite for the Democratic nomination, is expected to announce her candidacy in the next two weeks.

Paul is a frequent contrarian against his party's orthodoxy, questioning the size of the U.S. military and proposing relaxation of some drug laws that imprison offenders at a high cost to taxpayers. He also challenges Republicans' support for surveillance programs, drone policies and sanctions on Iran and Cuba.

In one sign of his uphill climb, an outside group not connected to any candidate planned to spend more than $1 million on ads criticizing Paul's positions on Iran sanctions.

Cheers erupted at the rally when Paul decried government searches of phones and computer records as a threat to civil liberties. Most Republicans defend the practice as a necessary defense against terrorism, but Paul said the programs only provide a false sense of security.

Tech savvy and youth-focused, Paul is expected to be an Internet juggernaut his competitors will be forced to chase.

After his speech, Paul answered questions from voters on his Facebook page before beginning a tour of states with early-nominating contests Tuesday night with a trip to Manchester, New Hampshire.

Perhaps reflecting the challenges he faces in convincing his critics he deserves the nomination, Paul is also leaving open the door to a second term in the Senate.

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Elliott reported from Washington.