Ford - Corker Tightens

[Laura PourMeADrink]

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/politics.htm


Tennessee Senate: Corker (R) 51% Down 2%Ford (D) 47% Up 2
November 5, 2006

This campaign has been one of the most volatile in Election 2006. Thought to be fairly safe for the GOP when the year began, Bob Corker had a double-digit lead in the summer. But, after wrapping up the Republican nomination, he coasted a bit while Ford surged. By early October , Ford was leading by five. Corker replaced his campaign manager at that time and began a comeback. Three straight polls showed Corker gaining ground but the race remaining close. Then, earlier this week, Corker opened his first significant lead since summer.

In the month of October alone, shifting fortunes have had this state listed at various times as "Leans Republican," "Leans Democrat," and "Toss-Up." The trend is recent weeks has been to Corker. However, there is still a chance this state could slip away from the GOP if the Democratic wave is a bit stronger than anticipated. Rasmussen Reports is shifting Tennessee from “Leans Republican” to “Toss-Up” in our Senate Balance of Power summary.

Each candidate has firmed up his base. Corker now attracts 93% of Republicans and Ford does the same among Democrats.

Corker is viewed favorably by 54% of voters. Ford by 53%.

If their vote determined control of the U.S. Senate, 50% of Tennessee voters would select Republican control while 45% would prefer the Democrats.

In addition to the Corker campaign team shake-up, other late-breaking developments include Ford's much-criticized crashing of a press conference being held by his opponent and the RNC ad with the curvaceous blond reminding voters that Ford attended a Playboy party.

Nationally, the issue of same-sex marriage came to the foreground again because of a controversial New Jersey Supreme Court decision on same-sex unions. Though both candidates criticized the decision, our polling has indicated that voters trust Corker more on that issue.

A "botched joke" by Senator John Kerry that seemed to disparage soldiers doubtless reminded some voters that they trust Republicans more than Democrats on national security.

[williesgirl]

1. C'mon TN Dems, you can DO IT! recommended

[TornadoTN]

2. Fellow Tennesseans - We need your help!

Tennessee may very well be the next Ohio or Florida this election cycle - the GOP is pulling out all the stops to quell Ford (who many know, I am not particularly enamored with, but will vote for nonetheless). Things are getting dirty, if that is any testament since this election has been the dirties in decades here in the Volunteer state.

I'm swallowing my Left-leaning pride and going all in for Ford tommorrow by being a poll watcher and a media liason for the campaign office. I encourage EVERYONE in this state to get out there tommorrow and do what you can to help make sure this election is fair, honest, and decisive. We are going to need boots on the ground in EVERY polling station in the state and good people working GOTV in every precinct. Be ready, be vigilant - Tennessee is shaping up to be the next Ohio and we can't allow that to happen.

[Hav]

3. .

I hope so. Gallup has Corker leading by 3.
In the last polls, Corker always polled around 50 or above in contrast to the Repub in MO or VA. His support is definitely strong. But you never know, TN would be the biggest surprise.

[babylonsister]

4. MSNBC just said Gallup claims Ford only trailing by 3 points. Tightening

up even more!

[tnlurker]

5. I have four Ford votes in my house

Tomorrow I will go to the polls with my wife, son, mother-in-law and myself to cast votes for Ford in a very Republican Precinct.
I have been getting three to five robo calls for Corker all week because of my zip code and about two a day for Ford. Corker's commercials have been so offensive that my wife is willing to vote(she usually only votes in presidential years if at all).

[babylonsister]

6. tnlurker, you and your family RAWK!

:yourock: :yourock: :yourock: :yourock:

[Lurking Dem]

9. 2 here

Mother-in-law already voted early for Ford and she's a brand spankin' new Tennessee resident!

I've only had a couple of robo calls here. I think my county is so decidedly Republican, Corker isn't even worried about it.

All the Ford calls have been real, live people but that may be because I am on his donors list.

[demwing]

7. Toss Up, Baby!

This is the second poll I've seen giving Ford some late--but solid--momentum. The Real Clear Politics page sites a US News poll conducted from 11/1 - 11/4 shows Ford pulled out of the double digit drop, and was down by a mere 3 points.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2006/senate/tn/tennessee_senate_race-20.html

[Straight Shooter]

8. Kerry should have had a press conference on how to build an atomic bomb.

Perhaps then he would be seen as supporting bush's policy of helping the terrorists, and it would have helped Ford's numbers.

:sarcasm:

[Laura PourMeADrink]

10. Ha. Maybe Kerry should donate a cool million for last minute ad

for Ford. I didn't like what Ford said about Kerry - but at least maybe standing up helped Ford to some degree. We need Corker in the senate like we need a hole in the head.

[Straight Shooter]

12. I didn't like Ford's response, either.

He could have just said, "Let's see what the facts are after the noise machine calms down, and then I'll make a comment."

His backing off from Kerry made him look weak. But that's just my opinion.

[Glimmer of Hope]

11. I think Ford has some Dem momentum on his side. A win would be sweet.