Don't let the national nabobs paint the picture for you. The Ford name holds no power beyond Memphis. He can't win in this state and the last time I checked the U.S. Senate seat was a statewide election.
For the GOP there is Ed Bryant who barely lost the primary to Lamar! for Fred Thompson's seat, Van Hilleary who let Phil Bredesen squeak by him to win the governorship (Van took east Tenn for granted since it was his old U.S. House district and Phil made enough gains there to add to his total), and a few RINO's.
My bet, and hope, is Ed Bryant. A solid conservative that should and will get help from Lamar!, Fred (he'll come back and campaign) and Marsha Blackburn (6th district congresswoman from one of the most conversative in the country, mine - we gave Bush his biggest district victory than any other in the country in 2004).
Regardless, half the idiots in Tenn (ie Dems) can't tell the difference between Harold Ford, his corrupt uncle, his corrupt dad, etc.
Thanks for the info, and the candidate recap. I don't know enough about Tenn politics to judge, but the national hype for Ford is enormous, and growing. It sounds like a coronation in waiting..