Republicans are gathering in Stevens Point Friday for a state convention that will focus in large part on national politics, with a goal of giving John McCain a victory in Wisconsin in November's presidential vote.

If the Arizona senator carries the state, he'll be the first Republican to do it since Ronald Reagan in 1984.

Mark Jefferson is executive director of the state Republican party. He says many Republicans use the two-day state convention to work on unifying the party behind the presidential candidate.

A taped message from McCain will be played tomorrow afternoon.

The keynote address at tonight's banquet will be delivered by Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, who's considered a possible choice to be McCain's running mate in the fall.

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