"He beat two quality opponents in 2010 for the U.S. Senate primarily with his father's name," Briscoe said. "It's conceivable that with his own national recognition now, he could raise $10 million to $15 million outside of Kentucky for his re-election. All this is a win-win for him."

Some Democrats like Democratic Party Chairman Daniel Logsdon say Paul has neglected Kentucky, but Briscoe said Paul's penchant for the national stage has not hurt him in Kentucky.

"I don't recall any other Kentucky politician getting so much national attention simply by stating his beliefs," Briscoe said.

U.S. Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Louisville "gets national publicity, but that's because of his leadership position," Briscoe said. "Paul gets his because of his strong voice for the Tea Party."

Trey Grayson, a former secretary of state whom Paul defeated in 2010 Kentucky GOP primary for the Senate seat, said Paul ran that race "like a fellow who was going to be a national figure."

"He has attracted a ton of national attention, and that is good for him"

Grayson, now director of the Institute of Politics at Harvard University, said Paul's national profile and fund-raising put him in "an ideal position" to run for president or re-election.

"I don't think Kentucky voters mind that Paul is on the national stage so much," Grayson said. "People are used to it. Look, this is the guy who announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate from Kentucky in New York, and that didn't hurt him."

Grayson said Kentuckians probably would get upset if their governors "went national but are used to seeing their U.S. senators get national attention."

Grayson predicted that "Democrats would try to paint Paul as someone not in touch with Kentucky, but I don't think that's a winning formula for them."

The letter Paul has written for the Young America's Foundation makes clear that Paul enjoys talking to a national audience.

Addressed to "Fellow Patriot," Paul starts his letter by asking, "Will you help me stop radical liberal professors from brainwashing students?"

He urges each recipient to donate to Young America's Foundation, and sign and return an enclosed Constitution of the United States of America so Young America's Foundation can "put it into the hands of a bright young high school or college student ..., one place liberals dread to find it."

He notes that the Foundation has given away more than 1 million copies of the Constitution to students and supporters nationwide.

"Just imagine the impact that these young people will have on America for generations to come," said Paul, who is fully aware of their strength at the polls.