Washington state Senate race headed down to the wire

By CNN Congressional Correspondent Chris Black

SEATTLE, Washington (CNN) -- Washington state's Senate race has been cast as a battle between the upstart and the veteran, with Democrat Maria Cantwell telling voters it's time for change, that incumbent Senator Slade Gorton's time in office has come and gone.

Although Cantwell is 30 years younger than Gordon, it's the three-term senator who's turning the tables, accusing the challenger of being on old-style liberal Democrat.

Sen. Slate Gorton

"She claims to represent not only a new generation but a new approach to politics, when the paradox is she really represents the old generation in politics," Gorton recently told CNN.

But Gorton himself is campaigning on seniority, arguing that his position within the Senate means he can deliver for Washington state. The former state attorney general was first elected in 1980, but defeated in 1986. Gorton won the state's other Senate seat in 1988 and was elected again in 1994.

"I have the experience and influence over my colleagues to do far more for the people of state of Washington than Ms. Cantwell possibly can," Gorton says.

Cantwell argues that Gorton has lost touch with his constituency over the years.

"He's played this leadership role for (Sens.) Trent Lott and Mitch McConnell, delivering for them, slamming down programs that I think would be effective and the people of Washington state want," counters Cantwell.

Though Gorton calls himself the senator from Microsoft, Cantwell has reaped the real benefits of Washington's dot-com economy. After losing a U.S. House seat in 1994, Cantwell went on to make millions at the software company Real Networks.

Maria Cantwell

She is largely financing her own campaign, already spending more than $6 million of her own money. She has refused funding from political action committees and has asked the Democratic Party not to advertise on her behalf.

"It's no wonder people are fed up with politics in Congress. I saw the power of special interests and that is why I want to run my campaign differently," she says.

While Gorton accuses Cantwell of trying to buy herself a Senate seat, the Republican party and outside groups have spent millions of dollars helping his candidacy.

With older voters the key to victory, prescription drug coverage for seniors and Social Security have been dominating issues throughout the campaign. Gorton is heavily promoting Republican plans to allow younger workers to invest some of their Social Security tax dollars in the stock market.

Cantwell questions his faith in the stock market -- particularly since the price of her Real Networks stock dropped from $96 a share to $10 a share during the past year. "Being in my position, I can tell you about the stock market, and it doesn't always go positively," she said.