Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

New Poll of the Tennessee Senate Race Shows the 'Kavanaugh Bounce' Republicans Have Talked So Much About May Be Fading

New Poll of the Tennessee Senate Race Shows the 'Kavanaugh Bounce' Republicans Have Talked So Much About May Be Fading
Fred Breedon/Nashville Rising, Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

So much for that 'red wave.'

A new poll from Vanderbilt University regarding the Tennessee Senate race indicates that Republican enthusiasm following the hard-fought confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court may have been short-lived.

Democratic candidate and former governor Phil Bredesen has just a one percent lead over Republican candidate Rep. Marsha Blackburn, with the candidates at 44 and 43 percent to replace retiring Republican Senator Bob Corker. Following the Kavanaugh hearings, Blackburn saw an eight point spike in support, while Bredesen lost some Democratic backing for saying he would have voted to confirm Kavanaugh.


Previous polls have shown Bredesen trailing Blackburn by a wide margin and many Republicans believed that voter enthusiasm for Kavanaugh's nomination and subsequent confirmation - combined with the fact that Tennessee hasn't had a Democratic senator since the 90's - would assure victory for Blackburn.

Now, some believe that this enthusiasm may not last until election day on November 6.

While many are chalking up the sudden tightness of the race to a loss of Republican enthusiasm, others are attributing the boost for Bredesen to another national figure - and an unlikely one at that.

Breaking years of political silence, pop star Taylor Swift expressed support for Democratic candidates in her home state of Tennessee, with Bredesen among them.

Within 24 hours after Swift's announcement, voter registration spiked significantly.

Some believe that her endorsement of Bredesen may have had a similar effect.

Despite Blackburn leading Bredesen in other polls, she has had a hard time convincing women voters that she would represent their interests. One recent poll showed Bredesen ahead of Blackburn with women voters by 12 points.

This new boost for Bredesen is quite unexpected. It could even indicate a national trend of Republican enthusiasm - or lack thereof - now that Kavanaugh is securely on the bench. Though the outcome of the race is still anyone's guess, the Vanderbilt poll surely has some Republicans sweating.

More from News

Martin Scorsese
Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images

People Are Loving Martin Scorsese’s Emotional Reaction To Receiving His First Acting Emmy Nomination

Martin Scorsese is a household name for a reason. He's been a multifaceted actor, an Oscar-winning director, and a multi-Emmy-winner for his directing and production.

But for the first time ever, Martin Scorsese has been nominated for his acting chops in Apple TV's The Studio, in which he played himself, for this year's Emmy awards.

Keep ReadingShow less
Anna Camp
Araya Doheny/Getty Images for SAG-AFTRA Foundation

Anna Camp Hilariously Uses Still From 'You' To Respond To Emmy Nomination Snub

Entertainment industry awards can feel unfair at times, with some works winning perhaps more than they should, and others being snubbed when they should have at least been in the running.

Actor Anna Camp, who wrapped up five seasons of audience-favorite You, showed her complicated feelings on the show—and not being nominated for an Emmy—in a post on Instagram.

Keep ReadingShow less
Billy McFarland
Theo Wargo/Getty Images

Billy McFarland Just Auctioned Off The Fyre Festival Brand On eBay—And McFarland's Reaction Says It All

You know Billy McFarland, the supposed impresario who went to jail when his tropical Fyre Festival music bash went up in flames and stranded hundreds of people on a completely deserted Caribbean island?

Well, the ultimate grifter is out of jail, and after yet another failed attempt at scamming people with a reborn Fyre Festival in 2024, he's now conned someone into buying the fest's brand—by auctioning it off on eBay.

Keep ReadingShow less
Barack Obama; Michelle Obama
IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson/YouTube

Barack And Michelle Obama Shoot Down Divorce Rumors: 'Don't Make Me Cry Now'

On Wednesday, former Democratic President Barack Obama appeared on the IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson podcast. In the almost one and a half hour episode, the former POTUS, FLOTUS, and Mrs. Obama's elder brother covered a number of topics.

But one that drew considerable attention was when the former first couple addressed rumors of a possible divorce in their future.

Keep ReadingShow less
Nick Offerman
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic for HBO

Nick Offerman Explains Why Ron Swanson Would Have 'Despised Trump' In Response To 'Dumb' Fan Theory

Speaking to IndieWire, actor Nick Offerman, best known for playing Ron Swanson on Parks and Recreation, put to rest "dumb" fan theories that the iconic character, a proud libertarian, would have backed President Donald Trump and his administration.

Offerman portrayed Ron on all seven seasons of the NBC sitcom, which aired 126 episodes from 2009 to 2015. He is protective of the character and has pushed back against efforts to co-opt Ron Swanson for causes the character would not endorse.

Keep ReadingShow less