Newt Gingrich is speaking in person. Mitt Romney is sending former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty. And supporters of Rick Santorum and Ron Paul are making their presence felt too. A Field Poll out this week shows Romney with a six point lead over Santorum in California. But state party Chairman Tom Del Beccaro says the race remains fluid ahead of some big contests in the next couple of weeks.
Del Beccaro: "I think Super Tuesday is gonna decide a lot. If it's a mixed decision or a split decision, then I think California becomes very relevant - and I think we'll be involved in the decision as to who the presidential nominee is gonna be."
That's the national backdrop. Within California, the GOP faces some challenges: dwindling party registration, no statewide office holders and the prospect of losing the votes to block tax increases in the State Senate.