The latest Rasmussen Reports poll of the Tennessee race for U.S. Senate shows Mayor Bob Corker leading Democratic Congressman Harold Ford 47% to 46% (see crosstabs). With "leaners" added, Corker leads 49% to 47%.

This is pretty much the same dead heat we found October 11, when Ford led by two points.

The race remains a Toss-Up in our Senate Balance of Power summary. Tennessee is one of five battleground states we now include in that category.

Corker also led by a single percentage point in our September poll. By October 1, Ford was leading by five. About that time Corker brought in a new team to revive a campaign that seemed to be slowly sinking.

The election has not been dull. Controversy most recently erupted over an RNC-produced ad that, among other things, criticizes Ford for attending a Playboy party. The commercial includes a staged bit with a scantily clad, blonde actress urging the congressman to "call me."

Critics have blasted the spot for allegedly seeking to tap into prejudice about interracial relationships. It has been repudiated by the Corker campaign.

If elected, Congressman Ford would be the first black Senator from the south since Reconstruction.

Both candidates win support from most of their partisan base.Unaffiliated voters are split 43% to 43%. Thirty-three percent (33%)of Corker supporters consider their vote to be anti-Ford. Only 21% of Ford supporters consider their vote anti-Corker.

The two candidates have about the same overall favorability rating, but Ford is viewed "very favorably" by more voters—30% versus 22% for Corker.

Almost three quarters of voters say North Korea is at least "somewhat" important in determining how they'll vote in the Senate race. The Foley scandal, by contrast, has traction only with Democrats, disposed to prefer Ford anyway.

Crosstabs are available for Premium Members only.