Calif. governor candidates spar on taxes

SACRAMENTO, Oct. 8 (UPI) -- California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and his Democratic challenger met in their only debate of the campaign Saturday, attacking each other on taxes.

Phil Angelides, the state treasurer, said he wants to help the middle class by raising taxes on the richest Californians and closing some loopholes in corporate taxes, the Los Angeles Times reported.

"Who can you trust to do the right thing by middle class families in this state?" Angelides asked.

Schwarzenegger argued that California's economy has improved considerably since he ousted Gov. Gray Davis in a recall election.

The former movie star has had a roller-coaster ride in Sacramento. After his initial triumph, he tried to curb the power of state employee unions last year, only to have voters reject four initiatives he backed.

He made a comeback this year by reaching out to Democratic legislators and even hiring as Democrat as his chief of staff. He is now ahead in the polls.

At one point, Schwarzenegger, married to Maria Shriver of the Kennedy clan, compared Angelides to "Uncle Teddy" -- a reference to Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass.

"He's a great man," Angelides responded.