The problem is, Unity has done nothing but alienate power users. This is a huge problem for Ubuntu. The gurus are the gateway to getting new users into the fold. Its not like Ubuntu has a big marketing budget or a Steve Jobs type evangelist.
If that was really the case then Linux would be everywhere in the desktop by now.
Try the same line of argument in a different context: "Our television ad campaign is responsible for almost the entirety of our increase in market share."
"Impossible! If that were true, we would have 100% market share!"
Except configuration is being hidden in binary blobs! And "The Ubuntu Way" seems to be being forced on "power users".
It's a great shame. Linux does need an easy to use OS, and Ubuntu has filled that role for a while now, and will continue to do so. But the great thing about Ubuntu was that power users could use it as well. Now some people are going to migrate to other distributions (debian for power users, mint for people who dislike the idea of an "easy to use, linux for newbies").
Ubuntu has almost always acted as a stepping stone for people to come learn Linux and then graduate to a real distribution. There have always been reason for power users to be put off, even back when Ubuntu was just an ancient african word meaning "I can't configure Debian". Are you saying that by putting those issues in the GUI it alienates them too soon?