He's only been in the Senate for two months, but is Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) already considering a run for America's highest office? The Tea Party favorite is fueling speculation that he may follow in his father's footsteps and mount a challenge for the White House in 2012 following a recent visit to early primary voting state South Carolina. 

His father, of course, is 2008 presidential candidate and longtime Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX). The elder Paul is also mulling over another presidential bid.

"I wouldn't say it's the most likely thing in the world, but he's keeping it on the table," a Paul family adviser told CBS News' Political Hotsheet. "His dad is likely to go ahead and do it. And if his dad doesn't do it, it seems like there would be a dearth of candidates out there who are serious about taking on problems."

While he hasn't ruled out a bid just yet, the freshman senator has already decided on one thing: "The only decision I've made is I won't run against my dad," Paul told the Charleston Post and Courier.

Rand Paul has fueled speculation over his political future by scheduling visits to several key early voting states. In addition to South Carolina, he also has plans to visit Iowa and New Hampshire.

However, Paul, a Senate Tea Party Caucus founder, said his visits are Tea Party related. "I want the Tea Party to have an influence over who the nominee is in 2012," he said.

It appears the chance's that a Paul will declare a presidential candidacy in 2012 are pretty good, according to the Paul family adviser. "There's better than a 50/50 chance that there will be a Paul in this race," the adviser said.

If Rand or Ron Paul does run, could a Paul/Paul ticket be a possibility? Perhaps. As Talking Points Memo noted: "Rand and Ron Paul are from different states, making a Paul/Paul '12 ticket constitutionally sound should Rand change his mind."