Heh...I'm not sure it made a difference whether it was a week or five months. ;-)
Coop pointed out above that there was a backlash from the Gilmore Administration. Plus, you're right that Warner spent two years going around the state spending his own money.
I really do think Earley could have overcome that. But it just didn't seem like he cared.
I volunteered for him, and I was surprised how many things weren't in place late in the game. Wasn't the most organized campaign I've ever seen.
Corin,
You and I have talked about this before. As you know, Mark Earley and I are good friends. I will be seeing him in a couple weeks (he will be speaking at our church's Men's Retreat the end of this month). I spoke with him several times during his campaign and got the impression that his heart was not in it. By then it was after the convention and was too late. Hindsight being 20/20 the VA Republicans should've probably backed Hager, but its all academic now.