While the focus of the national media last night was squarely on the primaries in Florida and Arizona, it's a five-way race for the Democratic gubenatorial slot in Vermont that has turned out to be the most exciting of the lot.  With a party "unity rally" just hours away, the race this morning remains too close to call.

Depending on the source, the gap between State Senator Peter Shumlin and former Lieutenant Governor Doug Racine is 121 votes, 55 votes, or less than 20 votes.  Secretary of State Deb Markowitz is trailing -- but not by much -- in third place, while State Senator Susan Bartlett and businessman Matt Dunne seem to be out of the running

The five have been fighting it out for months in the longest and most expensive race in state primary history. While Vermont has faired slightly better than most states in the Great Recession,  it faces serious questions on how to stay on the proper path, particularly in the face of what is looking suspiciously like a second wave of downturn. The Democratic candidates have hammered away on their competing visions for economic growth, what to do with the State's "rainy day" fund, energy policy as the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant is scheduled for decommissioning in 2012, and the statewide broadband access.

It's understandable that the Vermont race was not a topic of conversation amongst the talking heads of CNN and FoxNews last night. With the balance of power in Congress in the balance and the Obama agenda in jeopardy, the discussion was squarely on the "hot" races in Florida and drama of John McCain's bid to hold on to his seat in Arizona. Meanwhile, in the Green Mountain State, Senator Pat Leahy fended off his Democratic challenger and won 89% to 11%. No horse-race there.

But what's happening in the states is important to the national discussion, and that's a story the national media is not telling well.

With the Federal government seemingly powerless to stimulate economic growth, the onus is increasinly on the states to dig themselves out of the mess, even as their own tax bases dwindle. It is the state governments that are going to be finding the innovative, local solutions to economic woes.

So it matters, maybe more than it did three years ago, whether states like Vermont have a Republican or a Democrat in the Governor's Office; it matters which Democratic candidate seems to be offering the best ideas. Livelihoods -- and ways of life -- are at stake.
      
Political insiders say that it may be Friday before the results can be checked and the results certified. That will leave whichever candidate comes out on top with just 67 days to launch the fight against Republican candidate Brian Dubie...a fight that will determine the future of Vermont for years to come.

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Follow the Vermont race on Twitter at hastag #vtgov