Hey Jan. Yes, Dr. Ehrman is but one of MANY scholars, both ancient and modern, whom I have read.

However, to your point: Jesus was hardly a "failed" mashiach. He was no more "failed" than Isaiah or any of the other mashicah prophets who met very bad ends for preaching the truth against corrupt political or religious leaders.

The Tanakh didn't establish any "Jewish standard" for mashiach that I am familiar with. The Jewish people were led to believe, errantly I might add, that GOD would deliver them from Roman occupation by a military leader, cf. Barabbas, et. al. other various zealots.

Many in Jesus' family also met bad ends attempting to reform the Priesthood run by Ananis ben Ananis and his rather corrupt family, most notably Jesus' cousin, John (the Baptist) and Jesus' brother James.

Being mashiach (anointed) was and still is a dangerous business ...