Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., heaped praise on the leading Democrat in the race to replace him when asked about the topic Wednesday.
Corker is not running for re-election this year, which has created a tight race between Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and Democrat Phil Bredesen, who has formerly served as Tennessee governor and Nashville mayor.
"I have no idea what's happening internal to the races. I don't plan to campaign against a friend," Corker said during a breakfast hosted by The Christian Science Monitor. "Beyond that, I don't know what the dynamics are."
Corker said he has known Bredesen for years and that he will not directly campaign against him. He then talked about how Bredesen has crossover appeal and could garner support from both Democrats and Republicans.
"We have significant Republican fundraisers who are hosting fundraisers for him today. So there's no question he's gonna have crossover appeal," Corker said. "I think at the end of the day, the question will be, will people look at this as something that control of the Senate is at stake, and will they base their vote solely on the first vote that takes place, and that is who is gonna be the majority leader.
"But I think he's got real appeal. I don't think it, I know it. The question is, in a state like ours that is still a red state, is it enough? I don't know the answer to that."
Corker did, however, say he would vote for Blackburn. "I've always planned to do so," he said.
Corker has already sent a campaign donation to Blackburn and announced his public support of her last week.
He noted that Tennessee senators, ranging from Fred Thompson and Bill Frist to Lamar Alexander, have generally been national figures in the Senate chamber. He would like the person who replaces him to take a similar approach to his or her job.
"We've had senators that, generally speaking, have been statesmen. That are willing to burn political capital to solve our nation's problems and are thoughtful people," Corker said. "I hope both [candidates] will aspire to be that."
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