Arnold Pledges Tax Cut in Calif. Radio Interviews

Seeking to reassure California Republicans who have questioned whether he's conservative enough to merit their support, gubernatorial candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger hit the talk radio circuit on Monday, telling two California radio hosts that he would hold the line on taxes and plans to cut at least one key tax.

"I would not increase taxes in order to get the financial situation improved because I think it's the wrong way to go," he told KOGO's Roger Hedgecock in San Diego, according to the Associated Press.

Schwarznegger went even further during an interview with KRLA's Hugh Hewitt, saying that the first thing he'd do upon taking office was actually cut at least one tax.

"The first thing I will do when I go into office is to get rid of the car tax," he told Hewitt, in audio posted to KRLA's Web site. "Bustamante and Davis, they are into overspending, overtaxing and overregulating. And we have to stop that."

Schwarzenegger accused the state's two top Democrats of wanting to "punishing the people for their mistakes" by raising taxes.

"The people have been taxed enough," he proclaimed. "The legislators in Sacramento and the governor, they have to understand: stop spending!"

The Republican frontrunner also took a pointed swipe at Bustamante, his chief Democratic rival, telling Hedgecock, "It's like one newspaper pointed out, Bustamante is Gray Davis with a receding hairline and a mustache. It's the same person. Same philosophy."

For his part Hedgecock views the recall race as a "golden opportunity" for the GOP if they can unite behind a single candidate. "The Republicans are dividing up the vote. Davis is coming on strong and Bustamante is a viable alternative for Democrats," he told NewsMax.

Schwarzenegger evidently sees talk radio as a key tool that could help him unify Republicans by using different radio shows throughout the state to appeal to supporters of more conservative candidates.

The actor-turned-politico told Hedgecock that as far as his Republican rivals go, "I think mathematically speaking it will be much better if they drop out, that's clear."

To find out what other California talk radio hosts have to say about the recall race, Click Here.

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California Governors Race

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