Rand Paul said to eye April 7 launch for president

This post was updated:

Rand Paul reportedly is eyeing an April 7 launch for his presidential campaign, but a spokesman for the Kentucky senator says nothing definite has been set.

The New York Times reported Paul is choosing this date so he can stockpile cash from April through June to demonstrate his fundraising strength when quarterly reports are due at the end of June. The only stumbling block would be objections from his family, the story says.

"Speculation to the contrary, Sen. Paul has not made a final decision on whether or not to run and therefore has no announcement plans at this time," said Sergio Gor, Paul's communications director.

Like other 2016 candidates-in-waiting, the Kentucky senator has been expanding his political operations and traveling to key early presidential states ahead of an official announcement.

Still unresolved is the question of whether Paul will be able to run for the Republican presidential nomination and a second Senate term at the same time -- which is barred by law in Kentucky. He is seeking a presidential caucus in his home state, rather than a primary, which would allow him to get past the Kentucky law forbidding candidates from appearing on the ballot twice.

Paste BN's Martha T. Moore takes a look at the ritual of presidential announcements and why they are important in shaping a candidate's message.