[wouldntbprudent]

I'm not disagreeing with your theory. But, regardless of why Reed lost (and your theory is fine), the fact is that it is still stunning in the sense that he was widely expected to do much, much better in seeking office.

[msnimje]

In my little world of Republican residents of Georgia I don't know anybody who wanted Ralph to win or who thought he would.

I never saw any polls or anything before that so it is what I expected to happen.

[q_an_a]

I think Reed has one major flaw - he has no experience that would make voters think he could be good as an office holder. He left the big job he had to take an big money job. People get nervous when they see a profit taking situation occur from a not for profit person.

In addition, his first job turns out to have a tait of scandal. People know that politics breeds some scandal, so why send in someone who already looks less than pure?