MONTANA - Missoula, Butte, and now, Billings: Serious political candidates have stopped in the Treasure State recently, thrusting Montana into the national spotlight. This means Big Sky Country is quickly becoming a stomping ground for candidates on the road to the White House. But what does this mean for Montana?

Democratic presidential candidates have told crowds they're focusing on energy, healthcare and the economy. "Here we are more dependent than we were on 911," said New York Senator Hillary Clinton during an appearance in Missoula.

"That happened on George Bush's watch. He's rather hold hands with the Saudis than hold them accountable. Well, you're not going to see me doing that! We're going to stand up and say we are on a path to energy independence!"

"If we can spend 10-billion dollars a month in Baghdad, we can spend a little bit of that money right here in Missoula putting people back to work," said Illinois Senator Barack Obama to a crowd in Missoula. With two candidates and a former president touring the Treasure State in the past two months, it's been an unprecedented time for Montana politics.

As for the candidates, they're counting on big sky voters to give them a final push toward the White House come June 3rd. "We're going to build excitement here in Montana," said Senator Obama last month in Butte. "Because by holding the last primary, the last best place is going to help choose the next president of the United States," said Senator Clinton, also in Butte.

And for now, it seems the battle for Washington will be decided in the West. Republican candidates Ron Paul and Mike Huckabee have also made recent stops in Montana. However, presumed Republican nominee John McCain has yet to open campaign offices in the state.