Rumor has it that Mitt is planning a fundraiser in California in March. Another event had also been reported on Califronians for Mitt Romney. California has long been an ATM for presidential aspirants who then proceed to otherwise ignore the state. Now, California is currently considering moving up to a February 5th primary.

Recent polling suggests Romney is fairing well in California considering his very little name recognition, however, Giuliani is doing exceptionally well. The fact is, Giuliani is standing in an excellent position to win California despite his past inability to help candidates in California, such as his now Policy Director Bill Simon. In addition, if the California Republican Party opts to let voters without party affiliation vote in their primary again, which I expect they will, Giuliani is likely to attract a great many of them. If Giuliani wins California, he will be able to avoid moving too much to the right by forgetting about Iowa and other primary states. The nature of presidential primaries is about to change as we know it.

In spite of this, I think Romney has a good chance to do very well in California. Republicans in California are a pretty conservative bunch. take the issue of illegal immigration, for example. Illegal immigration and the social costs associated with it can't be underestimated in California. Romney has shown his commitment to giving law enforcement the tools to confront these problems and his understanding of good immigration policy. He understands that unless you properly screen who you are letting in the country, you get the bad, in fact very bad, with the good. Giuliani doesn't seem to appreciate this. Romney should focus on this strength in California.

Romney should also focus on his pro-family strengths in California. Marriage Protection passed with over 61% of the vote here. It was just a few months after the Goodridge decision, that Gavin Newsom, the mayor of San Fransisco, attempted to start authorizing gay marriages. As the leader in the defense of traditional marriage, Romney's message of preserving this precious institution for the benefit of families and children will resonate with conservatives in this state. There are huge differences between Romney and Giuliani on this issue. One is a leader, the other just wants to convince you they don't support the other side.

There are more differences to be emphasized, among others, Mitt's business acumen and how that will help him keep jobs from going from California to Asia, Mitt's fiscal conservatism (Californian's understand a good fiscal crisis), and of course, health care, since the Governator is currently trying to push through some major changes.

From a substantive policy perspective, Romney rules the day in California.