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Rand Pauls 2016 prospects would look a lot brighter if hed bring an end to one of his biggest problems: self-inflicted wounds.

Paul wants to be the guy who broadens the Republican Partys appeal to young voters and minorities, and some GOP operatives say he just might be able to pull it off. He has won attention for his fight against mandatory minimum jail sentences, he has visited Howard University to pitch his ideas to African-American college students, and he won the Maine straw poll this weekend after giving a speech about the need for a broader Republican coalition.

But he has also had a series of stumbles that could threaten his ability to appeal to the same voters hes trying to reach. And some Republican strategists say hell have to start showing more discipline if he does get into the 2016 race.

(QUIZ: Do you know Rand Paul?)

Paul was one of a handful of Republicans who got burned by Cliven Bundy, the Nevada rancher who flamed out after wondering out loud whether African-Americans were better off under slavery. He never actually praised Bundy, and he condemned Bundys statements as soon as they were reported. But he did express sympathy with Bundy and his supporters battle with the Bureau of Land Management calling it a real intellectual and constitutional and legal debate when most other Republicans didnt take the bait and avoided commenting at all.

Hes not the only potential 2016 candidate who got burned by Bundy Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Gov. Rick Perry both sounded the themes of government overreach, too. But the episode highlighted the fact that Paul has made other unforced errors on the road to GOP stardom. There was the 2010 interview in which he seemed to question the premise of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. There was the former aide who used to work as a radio host called the Southern Avenger, wearing a Confederate flag mask.

And there have been other incidents that have gotten him in trouble. He went from annoying GOP national security hawks with his warnings about drones to disappointing some supporters by suggesting they could be used against liquor store robbers. And last year Paul had to promise to be more careful after a series of speeches used language that appeared to be borrowed from other sources without citing them.

(Also on POLITICO: Rand Paul wins Maine straw poll)

Pauls advisers say he should be judged by his success bringing new voters into the Republican Party, not by a rehash of old stories from his past.

Sen. Rand Pauls message to the Republican Party is to adapt, evolve or die. It is unfortunate that some political analysts will use Sen. Pauls efforts to grow our party as an excuse to lob outdated criticisms, said spokesman Sergio Gor. Sen. Paul should be judged by his engagement of all groups and his message of growth, not old recycled accusations that distract from Sen. Pauls message of inclusion.

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Rand Paul's problem: Self-inflicted wounds