Play It Straight

The New York Times > National: "It is a question that would have shocked the old line, hard-right conservative patriarchs of the clan begat by Adolph Coors: Is Pete Coors, nationally famous beer magnate, scion of old money, and now candidate for the United States Senate, Republican enough to win in Colorado?

One big reason is Ken Salazar, Colorado's attorney general and the Democratic Party's Senate candidate, who often as not out-Republicans Mr. Coors. Mr. Salazar, a Hispanic rancher and lawyer whose family has been in New Mexico and Colorado since the 1500's, has twice been elected to statewide office at least partly on the basis of his appeal in the rural, Republican areas that Mr. Coors - a 58-year-old political novice - needs in order to win. Mr. Salazar, 49, is also benefiting from the surge in the number of Hispanic voters, many of whom are eager to send one of their own to Washington.

The stakes of their race, for a seat being vacated by Ben Nighthorse Campbell, a Republican, are potentially enormous as a Senate majority swings in the balance, and they are entangled as well with a close presidential contest between President Bush and Senator John Kerry.

President Bush has led in most polls here, which probably helps Mr. Coors if Bush voters stay true to the party. By contrast, Mr. Salazar's popularity - he has led Mr. Coors in most polls, though often not by much - might help Mr. Kerry, raising speculation among Democrats that if Mr. Salazar's coattails extend to Mr. Kerry, his clout could extend all the way to the White House.

One of the great unknowns in the Colorado race is where the estimated 150,000 or more new voters added to the roles this year in registration drives - including tens of thousands of Hispanics - will end up on Election Day. Mr. Salazar, by far Colorado's most prominent Hispanic politician, is expected to get many of those votes. But Mr. Bush is also popular among Hispanics, polls show, which could benefit Mr. Coors.

The Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan newsletter in Washington, classifies eight Senate races around the country, including Colorado's, as too close to call. "