Public Policy Polling (PDF) (2/9-13, Tennessee voters, no trendlines):
Bob Corker (R-inc): 41
Phil Bredesen (D): 46
Undecided: 12Bob Corker (R-inc): 50
Jim Cooper (D): 32
Undecided: 18Bob Corker (R-inc): 55
Harold Ford, Jr. (D): 32
Undecided: 14Bob Corker (R-inc): 52
Bart Gordon (D): 29
Undecided: 19Bob Corker (R-inc): 53
Al Gore (D): 38
Undecided: 9Bob Corker (R-inc): 50
Tim McGraw (D): 28
Undecided: 22
(MoE: ±4.4%)
Clearing the decks on this poll from last week. Unless former Gov. Phil Bredesen (who has crazy 63-19 approvals) makes the race, freshman Sen. Bob Corker looks to be in pretty strong shape. Most of these other names – none of whom I think is seriously considering the race – aren’t especially well known and have middling favorables and are at least half unknown (except Harold Ford, who is despised).
As for Bredesen, while the DSCC would probably be thrilled to have him run, he doesn’t seem very likely, either. In a recent interview, when asked if he’d ever run for office again, he said: “Well, you never say never, but that is not my intention.” But the indispensible Brian Valco digs up an article from a year ago in which Bredesen had this to say about his future plans: “I really like the public sector, and if there are some opportunities there, I’d be open.” So maybe there’s any opening there – though I suspect Bredesen would at best be a Joe Manchin-type candidate. Still, he’d draw resources away from other races, at the very least.
PPP also put out GOP primary numbers (PDF):
Bob Corker (R-inc): 38
“More conservative challenger”: 43
Not sure: 19Bob Corker (R-inc): 50
Marsh Blackburn (R): 30
Undecided: 20Bob Corker (R-inc): 66
Hank Williams, Jr. (R): 13
Undecided: 21
(MoE: ±4.9%)
I personally think a 50-30 margin over an little-known member of the House who hasn’t even come close to announcing a campaign (that would be Blackburn, who represents the 7th CD) is not especially good – nor, of course, are those generic numbers. Hank Williams, Jr., by the way, is the country star, who apparently has said in the past that he’s interested in running for office. Amusingly, PPP also tested country star Tim McGraw in the general – would be kind of awesome if we had a Biggie vs. Tupac-style senate race down in Tennessee between Williams and McGraw.