Wilson Visits Iowa, Says He’s Joining Race in Time

California Gov. Pete Wilson, set to formally join the Republican presidential field, paid his first visit to the leadoff state Sunday amid warnings that he is “entering the game in the second quarter.”

Wilson scheduled a grand opening of his Iowa campaign offices today and planned a speech to civic leaders, as well as private meetings with backers.

But he opened his Iowa trip by taking in a minor-league baseball game Sunday, dismissing suggestions that he’s a late entry to the race.

“I’m not sure how late it is, actually, when number two [in the polls], by quite a margin, is undecided,” Wilson said. “I think there’s plenty of time for us to tell the story.”

Republican leaders say Wilson enters the race well behind his rivals, but with assets that could help him make up ground.

While Wilson has been sending signals for months that he’s running, his rivals have had campaign organizations operating in the state since well before the last election.

Wilson sat with a small group of backers under sunny Midwestern skies Sunday as he began his initial Iowa foray. He said his message will resonate in the region.

“Iowans don’t know it yet; I want them to know it. When they do, just as in California, we will make converts,” he said.

Wilson says he’ll use an appearance on Larry King’s television program later in the week to declare his candidacy and will launch a kickoff tour later in the summer.