Do you think the public really wants a "Mr. Smith" in high office?

Let's face it, the media and public opinion tend to tear apart newcomers to the political scenes. Moveon.org got a lot of bad press. The Tea Party gets a lot of bad press. When candidates with little political experience run for office, the media tears them up and they quickly fall out of favor in the public eye, and the experienced candidate usually wins. So I ask, do you really think the public wants a common Joe, or a "Mr. Smith" of sorts, in Congress? Do you have any theories to the behavior and mindset of voters? Why do they beg for Mr. Smith's, but seldom vote them into office?