I don't believe Rudy is popular with the base, I believe he is popular with the beltway crowd and the pundits. I personally will never vote for him so long as he remains pro abortion and anti gun.
It's time to jettison the anti-abortion stance. Fact is, most women want the right to rid their body of an unwanted fetus. That's not going to change. If Roe were ever overturned, we'd hand the presidency to Hillary.
Sad but true.