With the race for the next president well on its way, there's a local void within the Republican Party.

Three days into the Republican National Convention, there has not been a local representative from Michigan on the front line of the GOP to answer to the media or to enhance the awareness that Michigan is a key state in President Bush's bid for re-election.

With Michigan a swing state, it is in the best interest of the Republican Party to feature a spokesperson from Michigan to address the RNC this week in New York City.

Republicans have control of both of Michigan's legislative chambers, the attorney general's office, the secretary of state's office and a majority of Michigan's 15 U.S. House seats. It's surprising that no one is stepping up to display their leadership and even more surprising that the Republican Party has not recommended or appointed anyone to do so.

This is not to say that the Republican Party runs an ignorant campaign and is politically unorganized; they just might not have a suitable person to do the job. The GOP, along with the public, is well aware of this election's importance. Republicans should have tapped someone from Michigan in advance to speak at the RNC, as Democrats did with Gov. Jennifer Granholm last July in Boston. Tactful politicking, such as providing a live feed from a Detroit firehouse for her introduction, also was effective. Acting similarly would have provided the sort of recognition that could have put voters in the right's pocket.

This was a missed opportunity that could possibly make or break Michigan's electoral votes come November. Party voters need central leadership from their own state. In a state as important as ours, both sides need all the help they can get.