While sipping from one of my last remaining bottles of Blue Moon Pumpkin Ale this afternoon, I decided to ponder what I’d be looking for when the election results come out in Montana later this evening. Of course, I wonder about the National election and then drift into what the future holds.

First off, I hope the political folks who are calling my home number urging “Karen” to get out to vote actually find “Karen.” Nobody named “Karen” lives here. That has not stopped them from calling me four or five times in the last 24 hours.

Statewide:

Will the visit of Barack Obama and the deployment of several paid staffers to the state win Montana for him, or will the Montana GOP folks who urged McCain to use his resources some place else, look silly on Wednesday?

Just how far off was that MSU-B poll?

Which state-wide candidate running in a contested race will get the most votes? Baucus? Rehberg? I imagine some folks, like me, decided to leave some races blank. Imagine if you are Max Baucus and when the votes are counted you find 25,000 people did not vote for you or your opponent?

Since Max Baucus had about a gazillion dollars, how much did he help the local legislative contests?

Will the Democrats control the state land board in 2009?

Will the Republicans maintain control of the State House in 2009?

Can the Democrats maintain control of the State Senate in 2009?

What will happen in the Montana legislature, if the Republicans control the House and Senate and Governor Schweitzer is re-elected?

Nationally:

Will the Senate Democrats have a filibuster-proof 60 votes in the U.S. Senate?

What will the Senate Democrats do to Joe Lieberman?

Depending on who wins, which candidate will be the front-runner for the White House in 2012? The race starts November 5.

Things to ponder down the road:

Will Brian Schweitzer run for U.S. Senate in 2012 and Jon Tester run for Governor?

Will this finally be Max Baucus’ last term?

Will Denny Rehberg run for Senate or Governor or House in 2012?

Will Dennis McDonald run for U.S. House in 2010?

So many questions. Some of them will be answered in a few hours. It will be fun!