Polls, pundits, political pros and the press all believe Tuesday's Republican Senate primary is little more than a coronation for former Sen. George Allen.
Allen's three lesser-known rivals in the primary are all running to his right on issues of federal spending and debt. They promise they'll shock the world come Wednesday morning.
But history and Allen's lopsided edge in money, connections, organization and name recognition are not on the underdogs' side.
Tea party leader Jamie Radtke says Allen is a disaster waiting to happen if he's nominated because Democrat Tim Kaine can batter Allen as a free-spender from his earlier Senate term just as she has.
Del. Bob Marshall and Chesapeake minister E.W. Jackson say their stealthy election day surprise is the intensity of their ardent conservative backers statewide.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.By BOB LEWIS AP Political Writer
