These 2016 GOP Hopefuls Won't Last Very Long

The 2016 field of GOP contenders is getting larger each week, with Marco Rubio making the most recent steps toward a presidential bid. For the folks applying for the big job at the White House, a tough road is ahead — and the hiring committee of voters isn't going to push a lot of them through to the next round. We are still anxiously awaiting official announcements from prospective candidates, but so far we've got a pretty good idea of who will be standing up on the stage during the GOP debates.

There are the political heavy weights who stand the best chance — Jeb Bush, Mitt Romney, and Rand Paul. But there are other politicians with considerable clout and a strong record — Marco Rubio and Scott Walker — and there are also some newcomers who don't necessarily have political experience, but could make it far into the primary season — Carly Fiorina, so far, is the only woman considering a run for the top job.

But then there are also the potential candidates who may not be able to let go of some moments from their past. Here's a breakdown of some contenders who might face a few obstacles in the race, forcing them out early.

Mike Huckabee

He might have won the Iowa caucuses in 2008 and then slowly drifted toward a career out of politics and into our televisions as a FOX News host, but his recent gaffes aren't making him look presidentially polished. The former Arkansas governor and minister has ruffled more than a few feathers with his comments on pop culture and parenting.

In his recent book God, Guns, Grits and Gravy (yes, that's the actual title), he describes Beyoncé as "gifted" but then condemned her as "mental poison," saying "[s]he just doesn't need to lower herself to this crude exploitation to be a megastar."

He even questioned the Obamas for allowing their daughters to listen to the Grammy award-winner. Bold move. The First Lady's office made no comment.

Ben Carson

He's certainly an accomplished surgeon, being the first to separate a set of conjoined twins. But a presidential venture won't last too long given his often overly dramatic statements. Speaking publicly, he commented on health care in America:

Obamacare is really, I think, the worst thing to happen to the nation since slavery. And it is slavery, in a way.

Chris Christie

Christie is a a bit of a hothead, once throwing out an expletive and some harsh words to a heckler — delivering the famous line that has been haunting him since: "Sit down and shut up." He certainly can't play rough like that in a presidential debate. His bully persona might be his biggest downfall.

Rick Perry

Perry is a fun one, and he's getting serious about a run (have you seen those glasses? They look pretty presidential to me). Personally I would love to watch him though another primary, but his faux pas from the last round proved that he was too scripted and didn't know his own policies, oops — but Ron Paul certainly did!

Rick Santorum

The former Pennsylvania senator has a strong political background, but his emphasis on social issues, particularly same-sex marriage, will cause him trouble — he equated gay marriage to loving his mother-in-law in a column for the The Philadelphia Inquirer in 2008. It's uncomfortable.

Is anyone saying same-sex couples can't love each other? I love my children. I love my friends, my brother. Heck, I even love my mother-in-law. Should we call these relationships marriage, too?

His comments on Palestine are also radical. The Washington Post's Glenn Kessler called his views more conservative than the Israeli government's position. Santorum said during a 2008 campaign stop in Iowa:

All the people who live in the West Bank are Israelis, they're not Palestinians. There is no 'Palestinian.'

Those listed above are not likely to last long and will not be in the race for the long haul. They will be outrun by more seasoned politicians who have refined their skills to avoid serious gaffes and errors, though they do still happen (flashback to the 47 percent).

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