Video of the Day: Rand Paul 2016?

Before this week, Rand Paul was not necessarily in the shortlist of names that come up when people engage in sickeningly premature speculation about the next presidential race.

But ever since Wednesday's spotlight-grabbing filibuster, the tea party firebrand from Kentucky has been the talk of the town, and as a result, has figuratively been vaulted into the top echelons of the Republican power players — for the next few days, anyhow.

Apparently if you can prove that you can talk all day long about literally nothing, that's enough to put you at the top of the GOP list.

Duly noted.

That said, some supporters are saying that it's the young Republican's political backbone that they most admire.

Others were most impressed with Mr. Paul's display of clout among the Washington big wigs who joined him on the floor of the Senate during the marathon debate.

We here are GlobalPost are simply amazed by the man's bladder control.

13 hours — seriously?

At the very least that deserves a slow clap and quizzical look of appreciation.

In any case, Sen. Paul has embraced the spotlight like a theatrical political pro. And while several of the presumed 2016 republican frontrunners are opting to play coy, Sen. Paul cut right to the chase, saying that he was "seriously" considering a 2016 presidential bid.

“I think our party needs something new, fresh and different,” he said. “What we’ve been running — nothing against the candidates necessarily — but we have a good, solid niche in all the solidly red states throughout the middle of the country.”

Paul went on to say that, “We [Republicans] have to figure out how to appeal to the West Coast, New England [and] around the Great Lakes area. We need to figure out how to appeal to the blue-collar voters that voted — that were Democrats that voted for Reagan and I think are drifting back because they see us as the party of the wealthy…I do want to be part of making the Republican Party again more of a national party, less than a regional party, which I think we’re in danger of becoming.”

Sounds like Sen. Paul is looking to break through that 47% glass ceiling.

God speed, Rand. God speed.

Hat tip to our friends at Politico for the video.