Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty canceled most of his plans today, fueling rumors that he is the one who will be on the Republican ticket.

Also on the short list, are Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut.

The Republicans are getting ready to grab national attention at their convention next week in Minnesota. Many from Hawaii are already there.

An estimated 45,000 people will are expected to flood into Saint Paul for the four-week convention.

Back home State Represenative Gene Ward did some campaigning before leaving this Saturday. Ward is one of Hawaii's 20 Republican delegates, and says unlike the Democrats, the Hawaii Republicans will be 100 percent united, with all delegates casting their votes for McCain.

"It's going to be exciting," Ward said. "I guess you would call it the last bachelor party before the real marriage festival begins after Labor day next week and you know when the bachelor party's are going there's a lot of hoopla, a lot of emotion. But after the courtship the marriage comes and people start getting serious and I think that's what the people of Hawaii will start looking at very seriously."

Hawaii Republicans are looking forward to Governor Linda Lingle's speech on Tuesday night.
Ward also says keep an eye out for the Hawaii delegation's clothing.

He wouldn't show us yet but he says they will all be wearing the aloha shirt of all aloha shirts.
Stay with KGMB9 News and KGMB9.com for complete coverage. Our live coverage of the Republican National Convention begins next week.

Ramsay Wharton will bring us all the action.

---