Rand Paul visits students, GOP in South Carolina

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Rand Paul says college students should focus less on political parties and more on issues when deciding how to vote.

On Tuesday, the Kentucky Republican told a room crowded with University of South Carolina students they should pay close attention to how the federal government deals with privacy issues and international military conflicts.

Paul is making a swing through the Carolinas as he considers seeking the Republican presidential nomination in 2016. Later Tuesday, he appears at the College of Charleston and attends an Horry County Republican Party event in Myrtle Beach.

This week, Paul also heads to North Carolina for appearances with U.S. Senate candidate Thom Tillis and GOP Rep. Walter Jones.

South Carolina has the South’s first GOP presidential primary in 2016.

___

Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP