'Macaca Moment' Marks a Shift in Momentum

Allen has already begun to use his huge campaign war chest to do just as Wolf recommends.

Earlier this summer, Allen spent more than $1 million running commercials in Northern Virginia touting his efforts to keep people safe. Last week, he unveiled a TV ad that talks about education and his support for a national innovation act.

"I want today's young minds to create tomorrow's great discoveries," Allen says in the ad.

Webb has yet to advertise, having raised far less money than Allen. But there are signs that his finances are improving: a new Web site, a bigger staff and more offices. Webb consultant Steve Jarding said Allen's "macaca" comment tripled the Democrat's fundraising.

"Webb is now being looked at by people all over the country," Jarding said.

"This is a referendum on George Allen," he added. "Do we want the rubber stamp? Is he the nice guy that he said he was?"

Picking the Lock

Allen's campaign workers say they welcome those questions. And national Republicans express confidence that the senator can answer them for Virginia voters.

"We're going to see his campaign roll out his positive record of results," said Brian Nick, a spokesman for the Republican National Senatorial Committee. "That's very difficult to run against when you're someone like Webb, a one-trick pony."

Nick and other Republicans said they believe Allen is still the right fit for Virginia, which has a Republican-controlled legislature and has not voted for a Democratic presidential candidate since Lyndon B. Johnson carried the state in 1964.

"It's competitive, but we're going to do well," Wadhams said last week.

Schumer has promised to help Webb financially, though he hasn't divulged how or when. But there are good reasons he might.

Senate Democrats are looking for one more competitive race in the hopes that they might take control of the chamber. Democratic challengers in Arizona and Tennessee are also vying for national help, but Schumer said Virginia has three advantages: Allen's recent gaffe, his closeness to Bush and Virginia's demographics.

"You put all that together," Schumer said, "you know, it puts the tumblers in place that you can actually open this lock."