A big "thank you" to Bill Owens and the GOP "losership" here in CO for undermining a solid conservative, Bob Schaffer, in favor of a political neophyte based on nothing other than name recognition.
Ken Salazar comes across as just what he is: a moderate, centrist Democrat. Pretty much Ben "Nighthorse" Campbell with a Hispanic lineage rather than Native American.
Not to be a pessimist, but I honestly think that Salazar is going to win this one.
Nah -- Coors will win. (And I base that on nothing but my gut. LOL! The only two seats I think we'll lose are IL and probably AK.)
I'm not quite as pessimistic as you are but I wouldn't put any money on Coors. He's not a bad guy and, I think, could grow into the job, but he may not get the opportunity. And, once Salazar gets in, he'll be difficult to remove.
Oh please - there is NO SUCH THING as a centrist Democrat anymore:
First, Salazar is now kowtowing to the NEA on education:
http://salazarvcoors.blogspot.com/2004/08/salazar-on-education.html
he thinks 40% increase in Federal education spending in 4 years is 'underfunding'.
Slazar is campaigning with a candidate who's record is more liberal than Ted Kennedy:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1254929/posts
This after playing the usual 'i'm the independent' game with voters:
http://salazarvcoors.blogspot.com/2004/09/salazar-im-independent-one.html
It aint working - with Salazar you are getting a tax hiker -
someone with the Kerry position on abortion -
http://salazarvcoors.blogspot.com/2004/09/more-thoughts-on-debate-and-campaign.html
Salazar is a Liberal and lawyer and he is in lockstep with the national Liberal Democrats (as he HAS to be to get anywhere in the US Senate Democratic caucus - viz. Zell Miller) ... Coors will win.
http://washingtontimes.com/national/20041019-103105-2826r.htm
Schaffer would have been great, but
Coors will be good on keeping Govt spending in check.