  We report fully differential photoelectron spectra from an {\it ab-inito}
coupled channels treatment of CO$_2$. Photoionization by laser pulses centered
at 400 nm and 800 nm wavelength are considered, with arbitrary molecular
alignment and polarization (linear and elliptic). Calculations reveal
significant excited state channel contributions that are, at certain molecular
orientations, an order of magnitude larger than the ground state channel in the
rescattering plateau. Partial wash out of the multiphoton structure in the ATI
spectra and of the nodal features in angle resolved spectra is observed due to
ionization to excited state channels. The qualitative nature of the spectra is
determined by ionization thresholds, orbital symmetries and interchannel
coupling in the order of precedence.
