President Bush has been to Maine during this campaign twice. Vice presidential candidate John Edwards has visited three times, including a local stop.

White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card, Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton, and Elizabeth Edwards, John Edward’s wife, have all been here. The Bush twins and first lady Laura Bush, and assorted family members and surrogates for Sen. Kerry all have visited, asking for Maine’s support in Tuesday’s election.

It’s made for an exciting, informative election season. And Lewiston and Auburn have been right in the middle of it.

But it hasn’t been without costs. For many of the visits from high-ranking dignitaries, local and state agencies, including police departments, are involved in security and logistics. Precise dollar amounts aren’t available.

Some of the visits barely made a blip as local police rearranged their duty rosters for a few hours. Others required extensive planning, preparation and investments of time and money. Police officers were pulled away from their normal responsibilities.

It’s an investment we believe is worthwhile, even during a time of tight local budgets. Maine has had an opportunity to see and hear some of the country’s leading political figures firsthand. Sure, most of the events are carefully staged, and the political pros are adept at staying on message.

But seeing them in person, even for just a few moments out of a long election campaign, is worth the small financial burden picked up by localities for security.

We see them and they see us; that’s an important part of democracy.