This comes from Barbara Barrett in the McClatchy Washington Bureau:

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina won't be attending the Republican national convention, which begins over Labor Day weekend.

Her spokeswoman, Katie Hallaway, said people shouldn't read too much into it — either about the senator’s support for John McCain, her party's likely nominee, or about how she views the security of her re-election in November against Democratic state senator Kay Hagan.

“She’s got a busy week scheduled in North Carolina,” Hallaway said. “When there are breaks in the Senate schedule, she spends as much time as possible in North Carolina.”

Dole will be visiting with businesses, organizations and other constituent groups, but Hallaway said the schedule is not yet finalized.

Still, her absence is a notable one. Dole is one of the bona-fide rock stars of the GOP, the type of speaker who could rally the faithful at the daily state delegation breakfasts.

In addition, she's a former presidential candidate herself, running briefly in 2000, and the wife of popular former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole of Kansas, who was the party's standard bearer in 1996. The co-chair of the GOP platform committee is her fellow North Carolina senator, Richard Burr.

Elizabeth Dole had a prime-time television speaking role at the last GOP convention in New York City, where she praised President Bush and talked in support of traditional marriage, freedom of religion and the sanctity of life.

The National Journal reports that three other senators won't attend: Alaska's Ted Stevens, Maine's Susan Collins, and Wayne Allard of Colorado. Stevens and Collins have tough re-election campaigns, and Allard is retiring. The National Journal said undecided about attending are Roger Wicker of Mississippi, John Sununu of New Hampshire, and Gordon Smith of Oregon.

McClatchy's Maria Recio adds this:

Wicker's campaign spokesman said the senator hasn't set his schedule yet, but is likely to attend at least some of the convention.

"We’re still working on his schedule,” said Ryan Annison.

Wicker was appointed Dec. 31, 2007, to the Senate and is in a close race against former Democratic Gov. Ronnie Musgrove for election to the seat. "He has a vested interest in staying in Mississippi,” said Annison.

Asked if the race was unexpectedly close, Annison said, "For a Republican to win statewide in Mississippi is always a battle." Mississippi's governor and its other U.S. senator also are Republicans.