Topeka ? The capital will be the center of the Kansas Republican Party universe today and Saturday.

The annual gathering during Kansas Days will feature numerous receptions, speeches, face time and face offs.

Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher, better known as Joe the Plumber, U.S. Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Kan., and state Sen. Mary Pilcher-Cook, R-Shawnee, will speak at the Keeping Kansas Conservative Great American Forum, scheduled from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. today at the Ramada Inn.

Also today, the Kansas Chamber will be host to the 2010 Legislative and Congressional Summit from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Topeka Country Club.

A discussion on state issues is scheduled with Senate President Steve Morris, R-Hugoton; House Speaker Mike O’Neal, R-Hutchinson; and Democratic leaders, Sen. Anthony Hensley of Topeka and Rep. Paul Davis of Lawrence.

Then, U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., who is running for governor, will deliver remarks before a federal issues panel discussion, followed by a candidate forum with U.S. Reps. Jerry Moran and Tiahrt, both Republicans who are running against each other to replace Brownback in the Senate.

Later today, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels Jr. is the keynote speaker at the GOP’s inaugural Red Ball and Boots Reception at the Topeka Agriculture Hall from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

At the nearby Heritage Hall, the Kansas Republican Assembly is holding a banquet featuring columnist Doug Giles and his daughter Hannah Giles, the 20-year-old who attracted national attention after posing as a prostitute and making a secret video recording of a meeting with ACORN workers. The ACORN workers are shown advising James O’Keefe and Hannah Giles on how to maximize tax credits while setting up a brothel.

On Saturday, the Kansas State Republican Committee meets at 2 p.m. in the Capital Plaza Hotel. State GOP Chair Amanda Adkins says the committee will release its platform “that will prepare our great state for a 21st century economy.”