Former Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen has significant crossover appeal, but just how much may depend on whether Tennessee voters think control of the Senate is at stake.

That is the view of the retiring senator who Bredesen and Republican Rep. Marsha Blackburn are seeking to replace, who thinks the Democrat might be ahead by six points today.

Sen. Bob Corker reiterated Wednesday that he has endorsed and maxed out on contributions to Blackburn, but nonetheless lavished praise on Bredesen.

The two men worked together in various capacities in Tennessee politics, including while working to bring the then-Houston Oilers NFL team to Nashville, as well as while Bredesen was governor and Corker was mayor of Chattanooga.

“We had clandestine meetings at my home,” Corker said of their work with Volkswagen executives to lure the German auto giant to open facilities the Volunteer State.