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Ten candidates registered for convention By JODY MURPHY, Staff Writer PARKERSBURG — The West Virginia Republican Presidential Convention released a list of 10 of the party's presidential candidates who have registered to participate in the state convention to be held in February. "Candidates that are campaigning in other states will speak of issues important to those states," WVGOP Convention CEO Bob Fish said. "Candidates competing in West Virginia will talk to us about issues important to West Virginia." "This is an outstanding report of people who have come from all across the political spectrum," Fish added. "We have people who are household names to people less familiar with the rank and file of West Virginia. That is the great thing about the process." United States senators Sam Brownback (Kan.), John McCain (Ariz.) and former senator Fred Thompson (Tenn.) are among those registered to seek the WVGOP's nomination. Thompson, who was also an actor on TV's "Law & Order," is expected to launch his presidential bid via webcast Thursday. Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, California congressman Duncan Hunter, former U.S. ambassador Alan Keyes, Texas congressman Ron Paul, Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney and Maryland businessman and political activist Gene Zarwell are all registered to seek the WVGOP's nomination. Keyes and McCain were on the Republican presidential primary ballot in 2000. They were among five other candidates competing for the state's GOP nomination. In 2004, only incumbent president George Bush was on the Republican primary ballot. "I am extremely pleased with the number of Republican candidates who recognize the important role that West Virginia will play in the 2008 presidential race," Fish said in a press release. "It is clear these candidates realize West Virginia may indeed be the tipping point." Fish said the WVGOP will report the results of its convention by late afternoon, "hours before the other states with primaries on Feb. 5." West Virginia will be one of 22 nationwide primaries or caucuses being conducted on Feb. 5, dubbed "Super-Duper Tuesday." The Feb. 5 convention will award all 18 delegates to a single contender. In past years, delegates were elected at-large during the primary. Fish said he had no data when asked how large this field of GOP candidates, compared against past state GOP convention choices. "Whoever wins, because it is such a big field, that really becomes a substantial victory that goes all across the country," Fish said. Contact Jody Murphy at jmurphy@newsandsentinel.com Visit Mr. Zarwells Web site at http://www.genezarwell4president.us/