Minutes to go...

To paraphrase Billy Joel, the crowd is shuffling in.

Supporters of U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons, R-2nd District, are beginning to gather at the Seaman's Inne in Mystic where the "campaign party" is scheduled to commence at 8 p.m. - just minutes from now when the polls close.

But it will likely be hours later before any of us get a real sense of what the outcome of today's election will mean. There are three congressional races here in Connecticut drawing widespread attention - with the collected wisdom of national political pundits saying how Connecticut goes will be the early indication of how the nation goes in this year's mid-term elections.

Polls leading into today have cast all three races as dead heats. But the only poll that really matters is the one voters have cast throughout the day. Record turnouts have been reported across the state - and what that really means is up for debate. But we'll know for sure over the next couple of hours.

You do, however, get this sense of cautious optimism on the part of Simmons campaign workers. They feel confident - but not willing to come right out and say so for fear that a premature sign of celebration could be a jinx.