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DES MOINES -- Looking tan and relaxed, Mitt Romney stopped by his Iowa campaign headquarters on Saturday afternoon to rally supporters ahead of tonight's Republican presidential debate.

Joined on a makeshift stage by his wife, Ann, son Josh, and Tim and Mary Pawlenty, Romney promised the Iowa crowd that he would spend an increasing amount of time in the state in the three weeks before the Jan. 3 caucuses.

"You’re going to see us time and again here in Iowa," said Romney during his unannounced visit.

Volunteers collected names and addresses from supporters as they entered the headquarters, which was recently converted from an old Blockbuster video store.

While most of the Iowans in attendance were committed Romney supporters, Art Newman of West Des Moines said he remained undecided.

Newman caucused for Romney in 2008 but was a Herman Cain supporter before the former Godfather’s Pizza CEO dropped out of the race.

Though he has seen Rick Santorum speak several times, Newman said that he was concerned about the former Pennsylvania senator’s lack of momentum in the state. One GOP contender he has emphatically ruled out supporting is Iowa front-runner Newt Gingrich.

“I would almost consider voting for Obama rather than Newt,” Newman said. “It’s all of his moral baggage and his temperament.”

Newman was not convinced that Romney could win the Iowa caucuses but said that a top-three showing would be good enough for him.

“I think he needs to stop playing it safe and step up a little bit,” Newman said. “If anything, maybe this surge from Newt will get him off the dime a little bit.”

Romney spent the morning with senior aides going over news headlines and potential debate questions and plans to relax in his hotel in the hours before the debate.

Pawlenty, who ended his own presidential campaign after a disappointing showing at the Ames Straw Poll in August, was particularly adamant in singing Romney’s praises, calling him “the most knowledgeable, capable and electable candidate in this field.”

Asked if he had given Romney any advice ahead of the debate, Pawlenty said that his former GOP foe did not need his guidance.

“He’s a great debater, and he’s going to do great tonight,” Pawlenty said.