Schwarzenegger Heckled on Immigration

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger speaks during the first stop of a campaign bus tour of Southern California, Tuesday, July 25, 2006, in La Mesa, Calif. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi) (Lenny Ignelzi - AP)

"I could be criticized for flip-flopping, but better to say I was wrong than to hold onto something that isn't my view," Schwarzenegger told reporters on his campaign bus.

Angelides, the state treasurer, seized on the governor's comments, accusing Schwarzenegger of pandering to Hispanics.

"He will do anything and say anything to get re-elected," Angelides charged.

Congress is wrestling with immigration reform and Schwarzenegger has split with many in the Republican Party _ particularly in the House of Representatives _ who favor a get-tough approach to illegal immigrants.

His thinking is closer to that of President Bush, who has called for better border security, a guest worker program to ensure businesses have the workers they need and a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants who have been in the country for a significant period and not broken the law.

Schwarzenegger has long faulted the federal government for lax border security and praised efforts by the Minutemen to fill the gap. California has more illegal immigrants than any other state _ an estimated 2.4 million.

Angelides also has called for increased border enforcement and a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants who have been in the country for a long time.

The bus tour continues Wednesday with stops in and around Los Angeles.