Dear sinkspur,
"Can he fire up the conservative base?"
That's a good question. He may be unable.
However, he will at least hold together the conservative base and the Republican coalition. He won't fracture it. That's in contrast to what would happen with the nomination of either Mr. Giuliani or Mr. Romney.
If Sen. Allen is nominated, and he manages to win the enduring affection of conservatives, he'll win the election. If he can't fire up the base, he'll lose. But it'll be close. With either Mr. Giuliani or Mr. Romney, I'm not sure the loss will be all that close.
sitetest
If Sen. Allen is nominated, and he manages to win the enduring affection of conservatives, he'll win the election.
His abortion position, up until 'viability', makes him functionally pro-abortion.
He will never 'win the enduring affection' of conservatives with that stance, and with 'virtual' (imaginary) fences and amnesty for illegals.
If he's the nominee, God forbid, the Republican coalition WILL fracture.