Salazar now up by 6 points over Coors.

[coloradodem2005]

RE: SALAZAR RETAINS LEAD OVER COORS DESPITE BUSH LEAD IN COLORADO


Despite having been outspent on TV by Pete Coors in the primary by 2.5-to-1, Ken Salazar
continues to hold onto a lead over Coors in the Colorado U.S. Senate race, and Salazar
enjoys much more popularity than does Coors.

Coming out of the August primary, Ken Salazar benefits from a much more positive image
than does Pete Coors. Fully half (50%) of Colorado voters feel positive toward Ken Salazar
while just 13% feel negative toward him - an impressive 4-to-1 ratio. In the case of Pete
Coors, 42% are positive toward him while fully 26% are negative - a lackluster ratio of
8-to-5. This has occurred despite Coors spending $1,688,000 on TV ads in the primary to
Salazar's $669,000 on TV ads.

Survey Fully Accounts for Republican and Coors' Advantages

Our survey mirrors the Republican registration edge in Colorado with a sample that is
40% Republican, 31% Democratic, and 28% Independent.

Also, whatever advantage Peter Coors has is fully reflected in this survey. He has 93%
name recognition, while Ken Salazar has 92% name recognition. Indeed, the image of Coors
Brewing has declined just in the last two months (from 47% positive in June to 38%
positive in August) without any electronic media focus upon its policies. So, if anything,
in the next two months the Coors Brewing entity is much more likely to be a liability
for Peter Coors than a plus.

Also, without seeing anything on Denver TV about Coors' record, voters are more likely
to see Peter Coors as too conservative (36%) than Ken Salazar as too liberal (26%). And
Coloradans have not yet been exposed to any of Peter Coors' extreme right-wing stands
on a whole host of issues.

Both Salazar and Coors Polls Show Salazar in the lead

Ken Salazar holds a lead over Pete Coors of 48% to 42%, with 10% undecided.
Among Independents, Salazar holds an impressive lead of 54% to 33%.
Among self-described moderates, Salazar is ahead by 57% to 31%.
Coors manages to garner support from only three-fourths of Bush voters.
Indeed, Coors' own poll released August 27 by the Tarrance Group confirms a Salazar lead
of 47% to 43% (August 24 to 26 among 600 likely voters).

Furthermore, we asked voters which candidate has the "right kind of experience to be senator,"
55% pick Ken Salazar while 24% select Pete Coors.