Buoyed by broad backing, Arnold vows to rein in budget

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Fresh from his improbable transformation from action movie star to governor-elect, Arnold Schwarzenegger promised Wednesday to "open up the books" on California's staggering budget crisis Wednesday.

At a Los Angeles news conference, a beaming Schwarzenegger offered few details about how he will pull the state out of its financial mess.

But he was clearly buoyed by his unexpectedly large victory in Tuesday's recall election, in which Californians of every description put aside doubts about his political experience to support him.

"California has been a place of endless opportunity," he said. "I want to thank again the voters of California for their trust. . . . I will make sure never to let you down."

In a 23-minute briefing short on specifics, Schwarzenegger promised to "open up" the state's books in a thorough audit that will identify waste and inefficiencies he has pledged to cut out. The head of his transition team, Rep. David Drier, R-Calif., will hold a news conference Thursday at which he will announce more specifics about the transition, he said.

Earlier in the day, Schwarzenegger took a congratulatory call from President Bush. He said he hopes to meet with Bush as early as next week, pressing him for ways the federal government can help the Golden State recover from its current crippling fiscal crisis.

Overcoming a flurry of last-minute allegations that he groped more than a dozen women on movie sets over the past two decades, Schwarzenegger rolled to an impressive victory, gathering more than 3.5 million votes or just over 48 percent, in final unofficial results.

Democratic Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, the first Hispanic elected to statewide office in California, was a distant second with 32 percent.

Gov. Gray Davis, a low-key Democrat re-elected just a year ago to a second term, was booted out by nearly 55 percent of the voters, earning fewer votes than Schwarzenegger from an electorate clearly angered by a cascade of crises that has shaken the state in the past few years.

Turnout was estimated at 65 percent to 70 percent, heavy for a gubernatorial election, but short of the state's record. The results must be certified by election officials by a Nov. 15 deadline, meaning Schwarzenegger will be sworn in by Nov. 16, barring any legal challenges.

Schwarzenegger will complete the balance of Davis's four-year term and will be eligible to run for re-election in 2006.