That's not the way I remember it. I recall reading an article while the show was still on the air, and it said that Norman Lear was shocked to find out that people liked (and identified with) Archie. Archie was supposed to be a buffoon, and to represent the "typical bigot."
A buffoon can also also lovable. And the character grew in stature and complexity as the show went on. And remember that Lear had virtually nothing to do with writing the show.