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SENATE RACES TO WATCH There are a number of tight senate races worth keeping an eye on. Over the next three weeks, CONTRAPOSITIVE will be tracking two of them:

1) TENENBAUM V. DeMINT

When Ernest Hollings announced he wouldn't seek re-election in 2004, South Carolina Democrats knew they'd face an uphill battle in the conservative state.

But State Superintendent of Education Inez Tenenbaum (D) is holding her own against Congressman Jim DeMint (R): She's made an issue of his support for replacing the federal income tax with a national sales tax, successfully skewering the unpopular proposal at every turn.

Recent polls are inconclusive: One shows a twelve-point DeMint lead while another has him up by only three points.

2) COORS V. SALAZAR

Yes, that Pete Coors (R). Colorado Attorney General Ken Salazar (D) is taking on the beer magnate in a seat being vacated by Republican Ben Nighthorse Campbell. If Salazar is able to hold onto the small lead he's garnered in recent polls, the result will be not only a Democratic pick-up, but one in a Republican-leaning state.

Stay tuned.

UPDATE: Salazar and Coors will debate Sunday morning on Meet The Press.