GOP candidate Santorum on the rise in Arizona?

MESA, AZ - The television production trucks are hooked up and tuned in as four GOP presidential candidates prepare for a war of words on the stage.

The Mesa Center for the Arts will host a nationally televised CNN debate Wednesday evening and political junkies will watch another contest in the GOP horse race play out.

Santorum delivered the keynote address Tuesday afternoon at the Maricopa County Lincoln Day Luncheon.

The Associated Press said the former Pennsylvania senator told the lunchtime audience he is not a manager or a visionary, polite put-downs of Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich.

Wednesday's event will be the last debate before a dozen states head to the polls for Super Tuesday.

The battle for political hearts and minds will include Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum and Ron Paul.

While Romney has been enjoying his spot at the top of the leader board, he his losing ground to a former straggler who has refused to be written off.

A new poll from Public Polling Policy shows Romney is still in the lead in Arizona with 36 percent, but Santorum is quickly gaining ground with 33 percent.

Gingrich clocks in at 16 percent with Ron Paul taking 9 percent.

Former state senator Russell Pierce and Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio are also expected to appear.

You may remember Arpaio endorsed Rick Perry in his bid for the presidency in December.

Perry dropped out of the race on Jan. 19.

Now with fewer horses in the race, Santorum prepares to lessen the gap between front runner Mitt Romney at 6 p.m. Wednesday in Mesa.