Jones said Schwarzenegger explained that he had studied the measure and determined it was a "no-brainer" to oppose it. Schwarzenegger went on to say he believed it important that public schools be able to identify minority children to help "bring them up to the starting line. And if the right-wing crazies have a problem with that, so be it."
Sean Walsh, a spokesman for Schwarzenegger, said Tuesday that the exchange "never happened."
"Someone did ask him his position on Proposition 54, and he expressed his concerns about the health-care aspects and educational aspects," Walsh said. "With regard to any additional comments, they never happened."
< -snip- >
Walsh called the timing of the allegation suspicious, as it comes a few days before a statewide Republican convention in Los Angeles that opens Friday.
"Let's be candid," Walsh said. "We are going into a Republican convention and there are those who don't necessarily support Mr. Schwarzenegger who are trying to get attention."
Ventura County Star September 10th, 2003