Kentucky U.S. Senator Rand Paul traveled to Iowa over the weekend, supporting his father’s bid for president.
Speaking on CBS, the Kentucky Republican said the latest polls, which show Mr. Paul in the top-tier, is an indication that on Tuesday voters will support the Texas congressman’s bid for president.
“I think this is the best time to be surging to the top,” said Mr. Paul on “Face the Nation.” “Ron Paul has surged probably as much as anyone in the last two or three weeks and has been the frontrunner or near being the frontrunner in Iowa. He’s closing the gap in New Hampshire. So I think he’s surging at precisely the right time.”
The Kentucky Republican said recent polls showing Pennsylvania U.S. Senator Rick Santorum gaining support in Iowa are likely to have little impact on the Paul campaign’s chances.
“He was, in his last election, defeated by over 20 points,” said Mr. Paul. “He’s really been a big-government type of moderate. A lot of people don’t know that because he hasn’t surged to the top yet so he hasn’t had much scrutiny. When he has the scrutiny, I think he’s going to have some of the same problems that some of the other fair-weather conservatives have had.”
The U.S. senator from Kentucky said Mr. Paul’s campaign has received significant support in recent weeks. The Kentucky Republican pointed to a series of campaign events, which he noted have drawn larger crowds as polls continue to show growing support for Mr. Paul’s bid.
“Who is scoring the best with Independents and Democrats among Republicans? Ron Paul is the only one getting significant Independent vote, and Democrat vote,” he said. “So I actually see Ron Paul as the one Republican who could reach across the boundaries of party, collect a lot of people who don’t vote normally and really energize the party.
“Look at the crowds… Ron Paul is having these big huge crowds in Iowa and really exciting a lot of young people and new people. I think there is a lot of momentum. I think he could win by bringing in the Independents.”
The younger Paul is set to campaign for his father in the lead up to Tuesday’s caucus. The elder Paul spent much of the weekend in Texas, where he is said to be spending time with family ahead of the crucial election.
A Des Moines Register poll shows former Mr. Santorum gaining momentum in Iowa, but still running behind first place finisher former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and Mr. Paul.
