If Rand Paul fails in 2016...

[ElectionsGuy]

I say its likely he'll lose the primary this year, regardless of the general. I think he's got a strong enough backing from libertarian and tea party (ish) groups. He'll probably be like Rob Taft in many ways.

[Chunk Yogurt for President!]

I believe he'll try again at least one more time.

[stegosaurus]

I'm guessing he tries again. The GOP will likely be more ideologically aligned with his brand of libertarianism come 2020-2024.

[IceSpear]

Probably.

[PresidentTRUMP]

I dont think he wins the primary this time and i think he will try atleast one more time maybe two more.

[Likely Voter]

I suspect he knows that winning on your first attempt is unlikely, so I suspect he is planning ahead to be the 'next guy in line' for 2020. That is why he wants to run for Senate and Prez at the same time in 2016.

[Beet]

If he's anything like his dad, he'll still be running in 2040.

[Consciously Unconscious]

I think that he definitely will (I can't see him winning in 2016).  Obviously,  whether or not he'll run in 2020 or 2024 depends on who wins in 2016.

[pikachu]

He probably will, but how well he might do in 2020 depends on a lot of other stuff. If he puts in a strong showing in the primary, I think he'd be the favorite in a 2020 primary (assuming Hillary wins) and he could remain relevant regardless of whether he's in the Senate. If a Republican wins in 2016, it's hard not seeing him as yesterday's news by 2024, especially if he lost the Senate seat.

[King]

Yes. Losing in 2016 will only build a stronger case for his next bid.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

If he's anything like his dad, he'll still be running in 2040.

HAR HAR HAR RUNNING TWICE LOLZ

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

If he's anything like his dad, he'll still be running in 2040.

HAR HAR HAR RUNNING TWICE LOLZ

Papa Paul ran three times actually. 1988, 2008, and 2012. Yes, the 1988 run was as a libertarian, but still.

The Younger Paul will certainly make another try in 2020/24 if he loses the nomination in 2016. I don't think he's capable of actually winning the nomination, but he should be a serious contender.

[Xing]

Yeah, he'll be 57 in 2020, and 61 in 2024, so his age won't be a problem. Also, if he loses in the primaries, and then the Republican nominee loses the election, he'll have a pretty good case for 2020.

[Cory]

Probably.

[Mister Mets]

I'd imagine he'll keep running, as long as it's not against an incumbent President. It gets him a platform for his views, and he seems likely to have some support from the libertarians to poll competitively unless Republicans ever have a Hillary 2016 situation.

[BlueSwan]

Absolutely! It is still not guaranteed that he runs in 2016 given the senate seat debacle, so I say that he definitely runs in 2020 or 2024 (unless he implodes before then).

[OddThomas]

More than likely. His age isn't a problem and his libertarian leanings will be more palatable to the GOP primary electorate in 2020 or 2024.

[Orser67]

Wow, 98 percent of us think he'll run. I tend to agree. However, I could see some other libertarian Republican overtaking him between now and 2020 (esp if Paul's 2016 candidacy flames out early), in which case he might drop out during the "invisible primary." If Justin Amash had a better path to the Senate or the governor's office, he'd be my pick.