Ron Paul: Rand will ‘probably’ run in 2016

Former Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) said Monday his son would probably run for president in 2016 — judging by the hints he has been leaving.

“I think he probably will. I mean, he’s been on TV hinting that he very well might,” Paul told CNN about his son, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.).

{mosads}The freshman senator has said he is seriously considering a run and has been leaving hints of his intentions. But he told a local Kentucky news outlet on Monday that his candidacy was no “slam dunk.”

Ron Paul, who has run for president twice before, said his son is handling himself quite well, and he could actually pull off a victory. 

“I kiddingly say that advice I give him [is] he better be very careful; he’s doing well, he might get elected, and that’s a great burden and a major responsibility,” Paul said.

Rand Paul’s mother has previously said her son’s candidacy “feels real.”

Last week, the Kentucky senator told an audience that his wife’s opinion would weigh heavily on his potential bid. While she is currently a “no” vote, Paul said he is trying to persuade her otherwise. 

“I tell people that there are two votes in my family, and my wife has both of them, and both of them are ‘no’ votes right now,” he said last week. “So if I am a very able politician, I will tell you in a year whether I’m able to persuade my wife. Right now I don’t know yet, but I thank you for your interest.”