Topeka ? Some leaders of the often-feuding wings of the Kansas Republican Party made a show Friday of uniting behind John McCain’s presidential campaign, but Sen. Pat Roberts didn’t join them.

About 100 party activists gathered for a news conference to announce a new group, Kansans for McCain. On hand were Sen. Sam Brownback and the state’s two representatives on the Republican National Committee.

“John is the right guy to do this. He is the guy on our side who is both acceptable and electable,” Brownback said.

Brownback, a leader of the party’s conservative wing, will serve as co-chairman of the new group with RNC member Steve Cloud, a Lenexa businessman and moderate who’s often faced criticism from conservatives. They said Sen. Nancy Kassebaum Baker, another moderate, will be the honorary chairwoman.

Meanwhile, about 30 supporters of former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee gathered at the Statehouse to watch video clips of the candidate and have a brief rally.

The activity came as hundreds of Republicans gathered in Topeka for their Kansas Day convention, their biggest annual meeting. The state GOP plans to hold caucuses Feb. 9 to allocate 36 of the state’s 39 delegates to the GOP National Convention in September in Minneapolis.

But Roberts plans to stay out of the GOP race. Asked whether he is endorsing McCain, Roberts said: “No, I’m not.”

“It’s been my experience that when you endorse somebody in a primary and then you have a nominee, that you have some fence-mending to do,” Roberts said during a news conference. “I don’t particularly want to get in the fence-mending business.”

Last year, Roberts made glowing comments about the Arizona senator at a fundraiser, and McCain’s campaign interpreted them as an endorsement. But Roberts has said his comments were misinterpreted.

Then, he supported Brownback’s short-lived bid for the presidential nomination. After leaving the race in October, Brownback endorsed McCain.

“I know John McCain. I’ve worked with John McCain. I admire John McCain. He is a fine candidate,” Roberts said. “I have just felt all along, after Sam dropped out, that I would not endorse any candidate, but work very hard for the nominee.”

Huckabee’s supporters are trying to help his campaign build support in Kansas by tapping into a group of thousands of volunteers known as Huck’s Army. While state Rep. Dick Kelsey, of Goddard, spoke at the event, organizers emphasized the need for supporters to talk to their friends and neighbors over endorsements.

“People in Kansas, as far as I can see, aren’t sheep to be led around,” said Mathew Pennell, state coordinator for Huck’s Army. “Everybody who would want to endorse Mike Huckabee, we would welcome, but it’s more about what the people want.”

Besides McCain and Huckabee, five other candidates qualified for the Kansas caucuses. They are New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former U.N. Ambassador Alan Keyes, Texas Rep. Ron Paul and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson also qualified but has abandoned his campaign.

The GOP plans caucuses in 67 locations statewide.

Kansas Democrats are scheduled to hold presidential caucuses Feb. 5 in 50 locations. At stake are 32 of the state’s 41 delegates to the Democratic National Convention in late August in Denver.