With Tennessee's primary election coming up August 3, our new poll of the Senate race shows Republican Bob Corker drawing the strongest support when matched against Democrat Harold Ford. But all three GOP hopefuls pursuing the seat being vacated by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist manage to edge out Ford by at least a few points.

In the Rasmussen Reports survey of 500 likely voters, conducted July 16, Corker leads Ford 49% to 37%. Representative Van Hilleary leads Ford 44% to 40%, and Representative Ed Bryant leads the Democrat 44% to 41%.

By two points, Corker attracts the highest support from fellow Republicans, 80%; Bryant draws 78%, Hilleary 75%. Corker is also the Republican who draws the most support from Democrats, unaffiliated voters, and moderates.

Ford is viewed favorably by 50%, Corker by 60%, Bryant by 49%, Hilleary by 48%. The strongest negative feelings are harbored for Ford, whom 41% view unfavorably and 20% view "very" unfavorably. Among Republicans, Hilleary is viewed most unfavorably.

In a primary campaign noteworthy for its heatedness, Senator Frist has recently felt obliged to reassure voters that Republicans can unite once the primary is behind them.

Asked about the 2008 presidential campaign, likely Tennessee voters only very narrowly, 40% to 39%, prefer a generic Democrat to a generic Republican to be the next occupant of the White House. The margins are not so narrow when voters consider match-ups among four well-known politicians: John McCain, Rudy Giuliani, Hillary Clinton and Al Gore.

Gore, who in 2000 would have become President had he won his home state of Tennessee, is edged out by both Giuliani and McCain in the poll. Details on all the 2008 match-ups are available to Premium Members.

Crosstabs are available to Premium Members. For the latest State Election results and issues of the day see our Elections Page and Politics Page.