With 99% of the vote in from Alaska, Stevens leads Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich (D) by just over 3300 votes.

If that holds, Stevens will return to the Senate, but there would be no guarantee that he would serve another six year term.

Even though he still has the right to appeal his recent conviction, something tells me that leading Democrats - and even some Republicans - would like to see him go quietly, so they don't have to be forced into some kind of ethics showdown.

It is possible that Democrats could refuse to seat Stevens next January when the 111th Congress convenes, or they could seat him "without prejudice" and begin ethics proceedings against him, with the threat of a vote to expel the Alaska Senator.

The crusty ole Stevens is more than likely already itching for such a fight, as I'm sure he would like to get into the facemask of some of his colleagues - especially if they've called for him to step down.

If Stevens were to resign his seat, a temporary replacement would be appointed by Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

Or maybe she could step down and have the Lt. Gov appoint her! Now that would be a story.