Take a look at the Facebook group "Rand Paul For Senate 2010."

You will see more than 2,000 members and messages from people all over the country, not just Kentucky, begging Paul to take the leap into politics.

Over the past few months when asked if he was going to run, Paul has said he would only if incumbent Senator Jim Bunning didn't.

Well, Bunning is poised to run.

So where does this leave Paul's political aspirations?

"We are forming an exploratory committee to run for the US Senate," answers Paul.

That's all that Paul would confirm when it comes to whether he's decided to run for the Senate.

Paul says even though he's taken this step, he still plans to honor his original statements regarding Senator Bunning.

"I still stand by that. What has changed is now Senator Bunning has made a public pronouncement basically giving the "green light" to form exploratory committees in case he decides not to return," notes Paul.

So the ophthalmologist says he wants to be ready... just in case.

"I'm going to be doing the same thing that one other candidate has already done and that's form an exploratory committee, still with the understanding that if Bunning runs, I'm not planning on running against him."

Still, Paul has been hitting the campaign trail over the past couple of months.

'So I've gone around the state and I got a very good reception, both here and Paducah and Lexington," he says.

Though his dad Ron Paul, is a political heavyweight who can bring him recognition, Paul wants his ideas to stand alone.

"So family name does help and I'll be the first to admit that's an advantage. But its also a double-edge sword. I need to become independent enough that people see me as myself and see me for my issues," admits Paul.

For example, slashing the mounting deficit.

Everybody says, "Oh I'm against tax increases" or "I'm for reducing your taxes" but no one has the guts to vote against their spending."

Over the next few months, Paul and his immediate family of 30, most of whom live in Texas, will be combing the state drumming up support for a possible campaign.

"We have a long history of going door-to-door, and trying to get our message directly to people and I think its good old-fashioned campaigning," Paul says.

Paul will now set up regional coordinators throughout the state and continue to travel and give speeches.

Thursday evening, Paul went on national cable television to make his announcement.