DATE=10/06/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=RECALL/PREVIEW (S)

NUMBER=2-308313

BYLINE=JIM MALONE

DATELINE=LOS ANGELES

INTERNET=YES

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

/// EDS: Suitable for overnight use ///

INTRO: California voters decide Tuesday if they want to remove Governor Gray Davis from office and replace him with any of 135 candidates, including actor Arnold Schwarzenegger. National Correspondent Jim Malone has the latest on California's special recall election from Los Angeles.

TEXT: In the final hours, some polls suggested the race might be tightening a bit. The embattled Governor Davis has seized on the latest accusations from several women that they were sexually groped by Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Governor Davis says the voters must decide whether the actor-turned-politician is fit to replace him.

/// DAVIS ACT ///

Are 15 women and their families lying, or is Mr. Schwarzenegger not telling us the truth?

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Schwarzenegger has apologized for his past behavior, but has dismissed many of the allegations as "dirty politics." He preferred to talk about change in his final campaign swing.

/// SCHWARZENEGGER ACT ///

We can bring it back and make it again the Golden State that it once was (cheers and applause).

/// END ACT ///

On Tuesday, voters will be asked whether they want to remove Gray Davis from office, and they also get to choose from 135 potential replacements. (SIGNED)

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