It is good the Republican National Convention for 2008 is coming to the Twin Cities. It puts a greater spotlight on issues important to Minnesotans as America goes headlong into its first wide open presidential contest since 1928.

It has been that long since no president was seeking re-election or a vice president was seeking to become a president.

In August 1927, President Calvin Coolidge bluntly stated he would not seek re-election. The progressive Republican from Massachusetts had ascended to the presidency after the death of Warren G. Harding in 1923. Coolidge won election in 1924, but the death of his son made him reclusive. So he announced his decision in 1927 by stating: &8220;If I take another term, I will be in the White House till 1933 … Ten years in Washington is longer than any other man has had it &8212; too long!&8221;

President Lyndon Johnson didn&8217;t pull out of consideration until 1968, and President Harry Truman didn&8217;t pull until 1952. Both were going into the final years with their feelers out on another term. Those weren&8217;t wide-open elections because near the beginnings of the contests the presidents were still mulling it over.

And now here it is, almost two years &8212; two years! &8212; before the election, and the field on both sides is wide open. President George W. Bush by constitutional amendment cannot seek re-election, and Vice President Dick Cheney has stated often he will not seek further political office.

That means a major decision in the course of the Republican Party and the course of this country will be made right here in this state.

Democratic, Republican, Independence, what have you, this will be an event not to be overlooked. We urge all to engage in the civic discourse to come.