Let's not go THAT far !
Happens all the time. A 'nuts and bolts' type of candidate loses out to one who is more 'flash.' Women make that choice all the time. Oliver North won the Senate primary over a hard working budget director in the Reagan administration(Miller?). Ralph Reed has earned his right to run for the office. It's like an actor getting a bug up his behind and choosing to run. Think of the times when Republicans had to turn to these types of people as their only opportunity: Think Mike Ditka and Ahnold.