ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Here's one political campaign bound to be clean.

The people helping to pull off the Republican National Convention are enlisting the public's help to spruce up the Twin Cities. They're hoping the primping leaves the 45,000 out-of-town visitors expected for the September convention with a good impression.

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, Bloomington Mayor Gene Winstead and others took squeegees Monday to windows at the convention arena - the Xcel Energy Center - to kick off the cleaning effort. They hope residents and business owners will take time to pick up litter, sweep sidewalks, cover over peeling paint and plant flowers.

An area-wide cleanup by volunteers is planned for August 16. Next month there will also be an airport beautification effort and a car wash for cabbies at the Metrodome.