Keyes wanted to address nearly 800 party activists at a dinner Saturday night -- a slot claimed by Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch, who dropped out of the presidential race last month. Hatch declined to relinquish his speaking spot.

Party spokesman Stuart DeVeaux said the convention schedule was set by the time Keyes made his request earlier this week. "Hatch made the request first, so the slot went to him," he said.

The GOP offered to let Keyes address the general session Sunday, he said. Keyes state director Chuck Williams said the party offered a Saturday slot before a smaller "VIP reception."

Keyes wasn't interested in flying from a Friday engagement for such a small audience, Williams said.

"It's worth our time to come here and speak to a packed house and do two redeyes, in and out," Williams said. "It's not worth it for five minutes at a reception."

Keyes electrified activists with fiery speeches at the last two state GOP conventions and is hoping to capitalize on momentum he appeared to gather in Iowa and New Hampshire, where he carried 14 percent and 9 percent of the vote, respectively.

But Williams did not see a major risk in Keyes skipping the California event. Texas Gov. George W. Bush is not attending; rivals John McCain and Steve Forbes are.

"It's not really a negative in terms of how it affects our campaign," Williams said. "It's just an opportunity we feel was missed in California."

Asked whether he felt snubbed, Williams said no, but added: "I just have a funny feeling that if G.W. had dropped in, they would have said, 'Move over, Hatch."'