Gross over-simplification to follow, but here's the gist: Shiites believe that Muhammad's blood kin should take precedence over his generals in the line of succession for the empire he put together whereas Sunnis believe that the Will of Allah should determine who's next, meaning succession would be determined more or less like in the Roman Empire, via a clash of arms, with Allah, in his infinite wisdom, playing referee. So no, Sunnis have no special reverence for Muhammad's descendants (Hashemites), at least with reference to their right to rule. That is why there are only two Hashemite monarchs in the Muslim world - Jordan's and Morocco's. And both are relatively moderate, religion-wise, since the monarchs presumably feel no need to out-Muslim their common ancestor, Muhammad.
Thanks for the explanation. Would be therefore have an automatic following from at least part of the ME world?
Would the other half hold any reverence for him at all?