The rivals for the state's open Senate seat couldn't be more vintage Colorado: Democrat Ken Salazar comes from a fifth-generation ranching family in the San Luis Valley and Republican Pete Coors is an executive in a family brewing business synonymous with the Rockies' snowcapped peaks. The similarities end there: One of the most closely watched political races in Colorado history has turned into a dogfight between two men who insist they could not be more different -- on the war in Iraq, taxes, abortion, the death penalty. They even squabbled on national TV over who started the mudslinging first. Behind all of it is a nationally funded campaign to fill the seat being left open by the retirement of GOP Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell. With Republicans trying to expand their 51-48 advantage in the Senate, the election is already the most expensive in state history -- Salazar has raised $6 million, Coors $5.3 million -- and outside money has fueled a barrage of negative television ads that show no sign of stopping. [more
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