Rand Paul unveils Nevada campaign office

Republican presidential candidate Rand Paul opened his Nevada campaign office Monday, declaring himself the only fiscal conservative among the other GOP hopefuls.

Paul, a Republican U.S. senator from Kentucky, espoused his oft-stated principles of limited government and curtailed spending while standing before an audience of about 200 on a small wooden platform in front of his campaign office, 1110 Palms Airport Dr., just south of McCarran International Airport .

"I want a government that leaves me alone," he said. "I want a government so small I forget it's even there."

Paul blasted the tax code for being too complicated and burdensome.

"We're losing jobs and companies to Canada," he said.

Both Democrats and Republicans deserve blame from some of America's fiscal problems, Paul said.

Republicans want to write a blank check for the military, he said, while Democrats do the same for welfare.

"You know what they do? The secret handshake," Paul said. "The secret handshake behind closed doors and they both spend more money."

Paul said he will declare himself the only fiscal conservative again Wednesday during a debate for Republican presidential candidates in Boulder, Colo.

He said that's "because you cannot be a conservative if you are liberal with military spending. You have to be conservative across the board."

National defense is important, Paul said, but added "you still can't have a blank check for the military."

Paul is running in a crowded field of about a dozen Republican candidates.

So far, Republican voters in polls have indicated a strong preference for candidates without a traditional political background, including billionaire businessman Donald Trump and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson.

Trump and Carson have seen more support than other candidates, including Paul and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.

Speaking to reporters, Paul made light of the polls, noting that many of the polled voters are undecided on who they will support.

His campaign has a few months left to get the word out. Nevada is an early voting state, with February caucuses that will play a role in determining who gets the Republican and Democratic nomination.

Paul is scheduled to be in Pahrump Tuesday for a campaign event. It is set for 8:30 a.m. at Bob Ruud Community Center, 400 N. Highway 160.

Contact Ben Botkin at bbotkin@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2904. Find him on Twitter: @BenBotkin1.