Rudolph W. Giuliani appeared to move a step closer to announcing his presidential ambitions yesterday, saying after an appearance in South Carolina that ''there's a real good chance'' he will run.

Mr. Giuliani's intentions have been all but taken for granted by most political observers. He has made two trips to New Hampshire -- home of the nation's first primary -- and has promised to make more. He has formed an exploratory committee, hired campaign workers and moved to divest himself from a large chunk of his consulting business to avoid conflicts in the event of a presidential bid.

But on the nascent campaign trail itself, the former New York City mayor has coyly stepped around the question of ''Will he or won't he?''

After a 30-minute speech before Republican Party leaders in South Carolina, Mr. Giuliani fielded the question again, but this time came closer than he had before to giving a definitive response in public. ''There's a real good chance,'' he told an Associated Press reporter.

Mr. Giuliani's aides declined to comment further on the remark.

Other signals of his impending bid can be seen in his tightly packed schedule of appearances and fund-raisers in the days and weeks to come. According a source close to the campaign, the itinerary includes fund-raisers in Florida on Tuesday followed by more stops across the country before appearing as the keynote speaker at the California Republican Convention in Sacramento on Saturday.

Mr. Giuliani is not alone among potential Republican White House contenders who have yet to formally declare their intentions. Others include Senator John McCain of Arizona and former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts.

But Mr. Giuliani's delay has caused some political analysts to wonder if he is waiting too long, although others have said his name recognition gives him extra time before deciding to get into the race.

Patrick Dorinson, spokesman for the California Republican Party, said if Mr. Giuliani is thinking about announcing anytime soon, the convention in Sacramento could be an ideal setting.

''It's going to be very well attended,'' Mr. Dorinson said. ''We've received a lot of media interest and members of the party are very excited about seeing Giuliani, so if he wanted to make an announcement, it certainly could be a place to do it.''

In addition, Mr. Dorinson said, Mr. Giuliani will be the only potential presidential candidate speaking at the convention, so he will have the floor to himself.

The state party that propelled Arnold Schwarzenegger to the governor's mansion might also provide a warmer reception to Mr. Giuliani than, say, Iowa or South Carolina, where his moderate stands on abortion, gay rights and gun control are likely to find stiff resistance from social conservatives.

Mr. Dorinson said he had not heard any speculation that Mr. Giuliani would announce there and had not seen an advance copy of his speech. If it did happen, it would coincidentally come on the same day that Senator Barack Obama, a Democrat, has said he will formally declare his candidacy in Illinois.

''There's been so much talk about the Democratic race,'' Mr. Dorinson said. ''We're just excited California Republicans will get to see a potential Republican candidate.

Copyright New York Times Company Feb 4, 2007