Gov. Pawlenty, Mitt Romney keynote speakers at Mich. Republican event

Michigan Republicans are heading to Mackinac Island to look over the 2010 crop of gubernatorial candidates as well as two possible 2012 presidential candidates.

Current Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and ex-Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will give keynote speeches Saturday. Romney also ran for president last year.

Five of the six gubernatorial candidates will meet for a 90-minute radio debate Saturday morning hosted by the Michigan Taxpayers Alliance. Tim Rujan of Bay Port wasn't invited.

The two-day biennial event is Friday through Sunday. More than 1,600 people are expected to attend. Candidates vying for nominations next August to the attorney general and secretary of state spots also will attend.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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