Surrounded by supporters, in a room filled with electric anticipation, and following a compelling and emotional video complete with a song from John Rich of the country duo, Big and Rich, on the state of our nation, Rand Paul announced this morning in Louisville, Kentucky that he is officially running for president in 2016.

“We’ve come to take our country back.” –Rand Paul

Several videos, played prior to Dr. Paul taking the stage, laid out his reasons for running, including the idea of Economic Freedom Zones, where “businesses can grow and thrive…no central planner, no politician in Washington will decide where the money goes…the earner decides.” He says his plan would pull Detroit out of the economic malaise it’s been mired in under decades of liberal control. Paul touted freedom, the need to return to our Constitution, his appeal to Independents, and for minority communities to return to the “Party of Emancipation” and away from the Democrat Party that has failed them for so long. He’s for Congressional term limits and—gasp!—actually reading the bills before Congress passes them. He wants to see tax cuts. He blamed the mountain of debt on both parties. He spoke for school choice, and how damaging it is for our inner city youth to be stuck in failing schools. He highlighted who he is as a surgeon, restoring eyesight to children in Guatemala, and those afflicted with cataracts. And of course, his major concern with privacy violations at the hands of those who have forgotten they work for us. One point of contention for some is his foreign policy. Paul said today, among other highlights on foreign policy, that he’ll do whatever it takes to stop ISIS, and whatever it takes to defend America. It was an issue-packed speech with far too many points to list here.

Here’s video of the entire announcement. And, regardless of how you feel about Rand Paul as a potential presidential candidate, the little gal singing our National Anthem will knock your socks off.

Last night, Rand Paul’s Facebook page asked for input from anyone with a question or concern, and by this morning was filled with comments for the sitting Senator, and Paul promised to head over there following his speech to answer as many of them as he can before he heads out on a planned 50-state barnstorm. Social media was a major reason that Barack Obama ran two successful presidential campaigns, and it looks like the GOP, at least its younger members, have finally figured out that social media outreach, particularly to our youth and grassroots, is a crucial tool if they want to win this time around. Paul, along with Ted Cruz, seem to have it mastered.

We have ourselves a horse race, folks, with two interesting candidates thus far. Look for the group of prospects to increase as Senator Marco Rubio looks to be jumping into the pool on April 13^th.