Except for heavy spending on northern TV ads, the campaigns of the presidential tickets initially have centered on the southern front of this battleground state. Both came out of their conventions to Metro Detroit.

But look for spirited action by both tickets soon on the northern front, possibly starting with a blitz on both sides of the bridge by Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, Republican John McCain's running mate, and husband, Todd, a champion snow machine (as snowmobiles are called in Alaska) racer.

"I'm recommending that Todd and Sarah come to northern Michigan and the U.P.," said ex- Republican National Committeeman Chuck Yob, a snowmobiler himself who just completed 19 years on the RNC and long ago became pointman for McCain's Michigan campaign. "I think we can get that done."

"Soon?" I asked.

"Yes," he said, noting that McCain himself previously had traveled to, and done well in, northern Michigan, and will return.

Yob, who in 2000 was the unsuccessful GOP nominee against 1st District U.S. Representative Bart Stupak (D-Menominee), said of Palin: "She's just our kind of person. I've never seen a Veep nominee who caused as much excitement in Michigan."

(Yob's son, John, early on was the Grand Rapids-based Midwest director for McCain and at last report in McCain's ever-evolving campaign structure, was deputy political director based in Washington, D.C.)

What about the Obama-Biden campaign?

Michigan Democratic State Chairman Mark Brewer said, "we're working hard making the case" for the ticket to come soon to northern Michigan, where, he justifiably asserts, the party sees "reinvigoration" in such counties as Antrim, Emmet, and Leelanau.

"Northern Michigan is changing," contends Brewer.

It will have to change in order for Barack Obama to do well in the northern Lower Peninsula. In 2004, for example, President George W. Bush carried Antrim and Emmet by more than 3,000 votes, and Leelanau more than 1,000.

Michigan's importance among the handful of top tier battleground states is underscored by these facts:

• Both nominees came here right after their national conventions.

• Wife Cindy McCain had a scheduled Oakland County appearance

Friday. Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Biden scheduled

Monday events in Macomb and Wayne counties.

• McCain and Obama spent a whopping $13.6 million on Michigan TV ads here between Memorial Day and Labor Day, about 40% more than Bush and Democrat John Kerry spent here in the 2004 campaign during that period.

McCain outspent Obama, about $8 million to $5.5 million. On Friday, Obama launched two new ads for Michigan and other battleground states, including one attacking McCain as a Capitol Hill oldtimer out of touch with ordinary Americans.

Ike, Mike, & Jennifer

Democratic Governor Jennifer Granholm and Republican Attorney General Mike Cox have not been chummy since Cox replaced her as AG when she became chief executive.

But in a rare move Friday spurred by Hurricane Ike, they issued a joint press release headlined: "Granholm, Cox Urge Calm - Warn Gas Stations: We Are Watching for Price Gouging."

Said Granholm: "There is no cause for panic over gas supplies here in Michigan. My administration is closely monitoring the situation on the Gulf Coast and is prepared to respond to any impact the impending storm may bring." It indeed brought a severe impact.

Said Cox: "My office, the Governor's office, the Michigan State Police, and law enforcement across Michigan are working handin hand to monitor gas prices and track down every allegation of price gouging. Anyone looking to gouge consumers as a result of the hurricane will be dealt with swiftly and severely."

Granholm, at an unusual Friday evening press conference, urged motorists to report suspected incidents of gas gouging to Cox's Consumer Protection Division at its toll-free number: (877) 765- 8388.

Over the years, politicians, especially in campaign years, have played one-upsmanship on gas prices, even when gouging is not involved.

It's good to see Granholm and Cox cooperate as a Capital City Odd Couple at a critical time for gas supply and prices.

George Weeks retired in 2006 after 22 years as political columnist for The Detroit News. His weekly Michigan Politics column is syndicated by Superior Features.