Organizers, which include a former Wood County party chairman, believe the statewide Republican convention next February in Charleston will accomplish two things:

"It provides such a huge amount of grass roots input, with county caucuses, the opportunity for any West Virginian to be a delegate to this convention," says convention C.E.O. Bob Fish, "the opportunity for the national media interest we believe is going to bring to it, really helps West Virginia help clain its rightful position as a 'tipping point' state."

Something it was during the 2000 and 2004 elections. With a new president being chosen next year, the idea is to expand the local involvement in the political process beyond voting.

"The delegation from the county is headed by the county chair," says local Republican Chairwoman Beverly Lockhart. "Our role will be making sure the amount of individuals we've allotted, we make sure are fulfilled, that we have as many representatives from Wood County that we're allowed."

West Virginia's primaries don't take place until May. Recent tradition indicates the party nominees are all but determined by then. And the mountain state has been reluctant to join the trend of holding primaries in January and February, when the state G.O.P. convention is set to take place.

"We have so many primaries that are happening that day," Lockhart says, "and what will help is that our decision out of West Virginia comes early enough."

The statewide Republican convention is scheduled to be held February fifth, at the Charleston Civic Center.