Rand Paul: GOP must grow to win

BANGOR, Maine - The Republican Party must become a bigger coalition that welcomes diverse ideas to win national elections, Sen. Rand Paul said Saturday at the Maine Republican Party convention.

The speech comes as Paul (R., Ky.) weighs a possible run for the White House in 2016 and pushes to strengthen his appeal beyond his father's passionate supporters to prove he can be a national candidate.

Republicans are united in their eagerness to propel their candidates into victory this fall, Paul said. But the party must evolve and attract more minorities, women, and young people in order to recapture the White House in 2016 and beyond, he said.

"We have to show concern for those who aren't doing very well: the long-term unemployed ... those who live in poverty, those who live in big cities," he said.

Paul also said that he's working with people with various views within the GOP because winning elections is done by building coalitions.