In this file photo, former Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen talks with then Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker, left, at the Enterprise South Industrial Park construction site.

NASHVILLE -- A survey of 500 Tennessee voters finds U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., is "strongly favored" for re-election unless former Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen decides to run against him.

The poll by Public Policy Polling, which has done surveys including Democratic candidates, says Bredesen, who left office last month, beats Corker 46 percent to 41 percent with 12 percent saying they were "undecided."

Forty-two percent of Tennesseans approved of Corker's job performance, while 36 disapproved and 23 percent were not sure, according to the poll. Sixty-three percent had a favorable view of Bredesen while 19 percent had an unfavorable view and 18 percent were undecided.

The problem for Democrats is that Bredesen has said he does not intend to seek elected office.

Corker did far better in matchups with former Vice President Al Gore -- Corker has 53 percent to 38 percent for Gore.

When Corker faced U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper, D-Tenn., the matchup was 50-32 percent in Corker's favor.

And, according to the poll, the senator would handily defeat his one-time nemesis, former U.S. Rep. Harold Ford Jr., with Corker garnering 55 percent to Ford's 32 percent.

The survey of voters was conducted Feb. 9-13. The margin of error was plus or minus 4.4 percent according to Public Policy Polling.