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8:27 p.m. Thursday -- It's been a while since the last update, but things have been busy this afternoon and early.

Besides a plethora of legislators and opinion-makers mingling about, there was a much-anticipated debate this evening with Sen. Tom George, Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, Attorney General Mike Cox, Congressman Peter Hoekstra, and Democratic Rep. Alma Wheeler Smith.

While Lt. Gov. John Cherry snubbed the event -- a day after polls indicated a majority of Democratic voters are uncomfortable with his candidacy for governor -- there was plenty of people in attendance, including U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow. Stabenow, who has polled higher than Cherry in some polls, was going out of her way to work the crowd while those on stage debated corrections reform, selling the governor's mansion, reforming the legislature to part-time status, and the abolition of term-limitations.

The debate was well received, and the Republican field of candidates stood out as an alternative to the Granholm-Cherry administration.

Cherry has been missing-in-action since this afternoon, and it's rumored that he's holding a closed-door fund-raiser bash with Lansing lobbyists.

Earlier in the day, I caught up with Michigan Republican Party chairman Ron Weiser. Weiser, who has held the position in February, was on Mackinac Island sending a message that Republicans are preparing to win in 2010.

The chairman stressed the importance of keeping majority in the Senate, which he called "the firewall," while also winning back the Governor's Mansion and Supreme Court. All three will be crucial for the party when county commissioner, legislative, and congressional constituencies are redrawn followed the 2010 Census.

Weiser also noted that unlike Democrats, Republicans have a choice for governor with several sound candidates vying for the party's nomination. "We have a choice -- Democrats don't," he said referring to Granholm heir-apparent Cherry. "It's very good for us to have these primaries -- it's an open debate."

In addition to 2010, Weiser says the Michigan Republican Party is focusing on assessing the frontbench in all 83 counties through the help of the party's deputy chairmen. This includes candidate recruitment for House campaigns. He noted there is also a strategy to regain majority in the House -- a chamber that Democrats are taking for granted.

All in all, this year's Mackinac Policy Conference had a substantially different atmosphere than last year. While there was a definite mood to get things done and turn Michigan around, attendance was noticeably down with many legislators and big-business interests opting not to attend.

The conference continues Friday with breakfasts with members of the state's congressional delegation, as well as opportunities for attendees to have brunch with legislators.

And if you haven't already done so, make sure to visit Twitter for the latest on what's happening on Mackinac Island.

11:43 a.m. Thursday -- Yesterday may have been slow, but things in full swing today with a virtual who's who's of business and politics getting together at the Grand Hotel.

Businessman Rick Snyder, who is exploring a bid for governor, is working the conference and held a mini-press conference with Tim Skubick on the porch of the Grand Hotel.

Attorney General Mike Cox, who is declared for governor, is also working the conference.

While Snyder and Lt. Gov. John Cherry skip tonight's forum, Cox will join Congressman Pete Hoekstra, Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, Sen. Tom George, and Democratic Rep. Alma Wheeler Smith.

A lot of people are buzzing about the forum and wondering aloud why Cherry is skipping it. One Democratic operative was overheard saying there needs to be a better candidate after yesterday's poll indicated 51 percent of self-described Democrats were undecided about supporting Gov. Granholm's heir-apparent.

Stay tuned for further updates ... I sat down for a couple interviews and will have them posted later today.