Skip to main content
CNN International EditionInside Politics
The Web    CNN.com     
Powered by
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ON TV
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Schwarzenegger on abortion, gays, environment

Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger is seeking to replace California Gov. Gray Davis in the October 7 recall election.
Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger is seeking to replace California Gov. Gray Davis in the October 7 recall election.

Story Tools

more video VIDEO
Bowing to weeks of criticism, Arnold Schwarzenegger spelled out his views on abortion, gay marriage, taxes and other issues. CNN's Dan Lothian reports.
premium content

California's GOP leadership is hoping to unite support squarely behind Schwarzenegger in the race for the statehouse.
premium content

Along with the recall of Gov. Gray Davis, California voters will consider Prop 54, which some candidates would rather avoid.
premium content
SPECIAL REPORT
YOUR E-MAIL ALERTS
Arnold Schwarzenegger
California Recall

(CNN) -- For the first time since he announced his intention to replace California Gov. Gray Davis in the upcoming recall election, actor Arnold Schwarzenegger Wednesday explained his views on a variety of topics including abortion, homosexuality, and the environment.

Sounding more like a Democrat than a Republican, the GOP candidate said in a radio interview that he is pro-choice but does not support what critics call "partial-birth" abortions, and said he agrees with parental notification for underage girls seeking abortions, unless there is abuse or other problems in the girl's family.

In a rapid-fire series of questions by radio talk show host Sean Hannity on the nationally syndicated Sean Hannity Show, Schwarzenegger, on the phone from California, said he does not support gay marriage, but does approve of some kind of domestic partnership.

"I think that gay marriage is something that should be between a man and a woman," he said, a misstatement in a rush to keep up with the staccato-like delivery of the questions.

He also supports the Brady Bill, which tightened gun control measures.

"I would also like to close the loophole of the gun shows," Schwarzenegger said, referring to the fact that people can buy weapons at such exhibitions without a background check.

Delving into issues closer to the hearts of Californians, the candidate said he does not support giving driver's licenses to illegal aliens, but he said the issue of offering them other services is not so clear.

"That is an issue with the federal government because the governor has nothing, [not] really much power over those things," Schwarzenegger said.

The actor also said he does not support the legalization of drugs, except for the medicinal use of marijuana; he is in favor of limited school vouchers; and he supports allowing schools to decide whether prayer will be part of their day.

But he came out strongly against allowing oil companies to drill off the coast of California.

"No, absolutely not, I think that we should stop the oil drilling and I think that our state government and federal government should negotiate to buy back the leases," the candidate said.

As for his economic views, Schwarzenegger said he's "fiscally conservative."

"I don't believe in spending. The first thing I would do when I go into Sacramento is put a spending cap on those politicians, because they just can't help themselves, they're addicts, they should go to an addiction place because it's ridiculous to spend money they don't have," he said.

The candidate said he would be willing to take a pledge stating that barring any state emergencies, he would not raise taxes on California residents.

One of Schwarzenegger's top advisers, former Secretary of State George Shultz, told CNN Wednesday that tax cuts are a top priority of the Schwarzenegger team, "but we're a long ways from there."

"The first thing we have to do is get the operating budget under control and start getting the debts paid off," Shultz said from Palo Alto, California.

California gubernatorial candidate Tom McClintock criticized fellow Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger for not completely ruling out raising taxes.
California gubernatorial candidate Tom McClintock criticized fellow Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger for not completely ruling out raising taxes.

"If you can get the spending under control and you get California's costs under control by reforming the workman's compensation system and other such things, then the California economy starts to move forward, and it starts to generate a lot of revenue with the current tax system," Shultz added.

Of his fellow 134 candidates in the October 7 election, Schwarzenegger only talked about Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, saying the lieutenant governor is the same as incumbent Davis.

"It's the same mold," he said.

Debates among candidates are being organized now, the actor said.


Story Tools
Click Here to try 4 Free Trial Issues of Time! cover
Top Stories
Panel: Spy agencies in dark about threats
Top Stories
EU 'crisis' after summit failure
 
 
 
 

CNN US
On CNN TV E-mail Services CNN Mobile CNN AvantGo CNNtext Ad info Preferences
SEARCH
   The Web    CNN.com     
Powered by
© 2005 Cable News Network LP, LLLP.
A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved.
Terms under which this service is provided to you.
Read our privacy guidelines. Contact us.
external link
All external sites will open in a new browser.
CNN.com does not endorse external sites.
 Premium content icon Denotes premium content.