An interesting array of opinions all over the map are available
here. I found it kind of interesting reading, so I thought I would share.
My own opinion is that Rick had a headwind against him knocking out the establishment choice whose "turn" it was, but with a bit more "coolness" (Rick is just too "hot" for the cool medium of TV), the projecting of a bit more maturity and thoughtfulness, and less video tape out there revealing his deep passions on issues (contraception, and the "family values" stuff, and a militant stand on abortion) which make many uncomfortable, all of which he doubled down on, he had a real shot of accomplishing just that. One would have needed to be just about the perfect candidate to pull it off, starting from where Rick started, and he just wasn't.
