Any thoughts on the story in TN? Polls seem to be swinging a bit -

[NRaleighLiberal]

I thought the Corker attacks were working against him. Another web site indicated that it is now Leaning Red....guesses on how this one will turn out?? Ford's suggestion that Kerry apologize hurt him???

[Bucky]

1. It seesaws a bit, but black candidates often lose 5-10% off polls in the booth.

That one's still a long shot. But who knows... people are really angry and ready for change.

[Actionmac]

2. republican win

yes his stating Kerry apologize cost him big... I still hold on to hope.

[Mass]

9. Nothing to do with that. Polls were taken before.

http://pollster.com/polls/?state=TN&race=senate_race

(with the exception of Rasmussen).

[ChiciB1]

3. If Ford Loses I Think It May Have Something To Do With The Fact

that he has been EXTREMELY DLC. I liked Ford as a candidate, I certainly feel he is MUCH better than Corker, but of late he has become a tad "holier than thou" and maybe EVEN in TN, Democrats are a bit perturbed.

I live in Florida and understand the "southern" thing, but even so... Ford who has run a very GOOD campaign, seems to have simply gone far over to the RIGHT! I'm not sure the polls are actually correct because I'm hearing different buzz here and there, but polls have a way of swaying some people to say THEY voted for a winner!

And of course my buzz is just from a couple of email friends, and I've seen some comments here at DU! It will be a shame, but Ford did come forward ASAP to make his views known on several issues lately. Perhaps he should have just stayed on HIS message and not gone into the other stuff. But I don't really know.

[DURHAM D]

4. To me Ford just talks and talks and talks and never says

anything. I know where he stands on the issues because I have done some reading but otherwise wouldn't have a clue.

He loves to dance a little sidestep.

[Rose Siding]

5. The racist ads took the toll Republicans knew they would

No shame. -and its hard for activists to get stoked about Ford's own discriminatory attitudes about gays, though I don't know how much that would impact a race in TN.

[Tanuki]

6. I don't think his call for Kerry to apologize hurt him at all

It was mostly offensive only to hard-core Dems, who aren't going to swing to Corker over it. I don't know enough about the methodology to have a sense of why the polls have swung red recently. For example, telephone polls may under-represent some demographics. I do know that a heavy Dem turnout could swing it for us, and am doing everything I can to make that a reality.

[Actionmac]

10. it's the dems that he lost that will cost him

hard core or not he was not in position to lose any votes...

[karynnj]

14. I doubt he will lose a single Democrat for that

I am one of the active JK group members and if I lived in TN, I would not hesitate for a nanosecond on voting for Ford. He did nothing wrong. He was asked and he said Kerry should apologize. Kerry didn't do anything he didn't think right. His apology was to the troops and sounded sincere.

[pat_k]

7. a nail biter

Depends on strength of wave. Currently looks a bit grim, particularly since polls tend to be better predictors of statewide races than House (where small numerical shifts can turn predictions inside out).

But, the overall momentum has been at Ford's back (see chart below). The downturn in the latest could be a "blip" in the overall trend, or reflect a reversal. I wouldn't be placing bets on that one, particularly given past experience with TN's busy little election thieves.

http://pollster.com/polls/?state=TN&race=senate_race

[Mass]

8. Polls were all taken in October. It is probably the ad.

http://pollster.com/polls/?state=TN&race=senate_race

(with the exception of Rasmussen).

[capi888]

11. Lots of Evangilical Christians in TN...

Think it would make a difference??

[emdee]

12. I have at least five Republican mailings per day right now....

The RNC, Tennessee Republicans, Corker himself, Americans Builders Association, Marsha Blackburn, Deloris Gresham, and today from the National Chamber of Commerce -- all on behalf of voting Republican. Every single day wads and wads of mail spewing lies and innuendo. That may be making an impact on some - who knows. It's crazy the amount of crap they are sending out --- none with prepaid envelopes I keep hearing about.

emdee

[tnlefty]

13. I'm trying really hard to stay really busy and ignore polls right now.

I've been driving people to the polls to vote during early voting (Oct. 19th-Nov2nd). I didn't support Ford during the primary, but I and many others are trying very hard to get out the voters in my county. I took today off to try to catch up on some things at home, but I may go to headquarters tomorrow to help to organize what needs to be done to kick everything into overdrive for the 7th.

Yesterday a woman from Huntsville, AL drove to Chattanooga to phone bank and to help us out - a VERY BIG thank you to her!!!

All that I do know is that some folks are trying very hard and we'll just have to see what happens!