Young Republicans National Field Director and Tufts alumna Rachel Hoff (LA '04) volunteered to get out the vote in the Volunteer State just days before today's critical election.
"The Young Republicans came to Nashville to support Bob Corker, Gubernatorial candidate Jim Bryson, and the Republican team because Tennessee is one of the most important states this fall with that Senate seat up for grabs," Hoff told the Daily in an on-site interview in Nashville.
"We [spent] the weekend in a very conservative part of the state going door to door, making phone calls, publicly displaying support at the debate and Tennessee Titans' football game, anything to get the Republican base out," she said.
The Real Clear Politics poll of likely voters on Nov. 4 showed that Corker (R-Tenn.) was up 7.4 points against Democrat Harold Ford Jr., marking a six point climb in the five days since the Young Republicans' visit to Tennessee.
Both Ford and Corker are vying for the seat to be vacated by Senate Majority leader Bill Frist, who decided not to seek re-election.
Despite the fact that Corker is also ahead in Reuters/Zogby polling, Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman told the Daily he wasn't letting any positive news distract him from his mobilization mission.
"It's a very competitive race," Mehlman said. "I think there's some momentum on behalf of Mr. Corker, but I think it will be close. Probably a three or four point race."
"The Tennessee race is so interesting because in many ways it's a test of the Democrats' ability to win again in the south," Tufts Political Science Professor Jeffrey Berry said.
"It's indisputable that race is playing a factor in this contest," Fox News chief political correspondent Carl Cameron told the Daily. "And it's an open question in this as to whether or not it hurts Ford or Corker."
If elected, Ford would be the first black senator from the South in over 100 years.
A controversial Republican National Committee (RNC) ad drew national attention and public outrage from the Ford campaign due to a shot of a white actress posing as a Playboy bunny with a speech bubble saying "I met Harold at the Playboy party. Harold, call me."
Ford, who attended a 2006 Super Bowl party sponsored by Playboy, called the ad "smut" but said he did not believe it was racially motivated.
Ford also faces criticism from Corker for leaving Tennessee to attend college at the University of Pennsylvania and law school at the University of Michigan.
Ford, who is considered more of a centrist in the Democratic party, described himself as a "Jesus-loving, gun-supporting believer that families should come first, taxes should be lower and America should be strong," in an appearance on Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace on Oct. 29.
Corker has emphasized his "Tennessee values," including low taxes, pro-life, pro-gun rights, and anti-gay marriage stances.
Supporters on both sides are confident their candidate would help change the direction of Washington, and are divided as to which candidate would best help the state's economy.
"[Ford] is for raising the minimum wage, and Bob Corker is against it. Corker said the only people earning minimum wage are college students like his daughter, but there are a lot of families who have to raise their families on minimum wage," Ford campaign volunteer Gloria Gleaves told the Daily.
Representatives from the Ford campaign's Nashville headquarters were unavailable for comment.
Many Corker supporters believe that his experience as a small businessman is evidence for his capability as a Congressman.
"[Corker] helped build up the inner-city. He's done a lot for Chattanooga and we know he'll do a lot for Tennessee," Chattanooga resident Calder Willingham said.
"[Corker]'s a business owner. He's going to lower taxes and be tough on the war on terror and that's what we need," Vanderbilt University freshman Erin Martin said.
Vanderbilt hosted a debate between the Senate candidates on Oct. 28.
