[Oldhunk]

That may be so, but I think Rudy will back off of most of the positions that are offensive to conservatives and will win the nomination. He will overshadow everyone in primary debates. I still think it will come down to Rudy or McCain.

I just don't think there are enough true conservatives in the Republican party to nominate a George Allen. And if he could be nominated, he would lose to a moderate Dem like Warner or Bayh. The liberals are already turning on Hillary, convinced she could not win. They will not nominate her. They will nominate an attractive candidate that perhaps only a Guiliani could beat.

[Alberta's Child]

I believe the scenario you've described could definitely unfold, but consider this . . . if the GOP nominates Rudy Giuliani in 2008, I could easily envision a bizarre scenario in which a Democrat like Bayh or Warner wins a historic landslide by waging a very credible campaign as the most conservative candidate.

[SDGOP]

There are enough conservatives in there to nominate allen, and allen would clean the clock with a bayh or a warner. Warner was too scared to challenge him for senate in 2006 knowing allen would beat him. All of allen's state wide opponents have been moderate/conservative dems, he has experince with t hem. Also remember that allen has had the toughest elections of any of the candidates running.

Don't forget now, allen will have rush and hannity cheering him on, they've practically endorsed the guy.