By Juliet Williams
Associated Press
Sunday, September 28, 2008

ANAHEIM, Calif., Sept. 27 -- Former California governor Pete Wilson urged his fellow Republicans on Saturday not to underestimate a recall drive against Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

He told delegates at the California Republican Party's fall convention that they should take seriously the threat from the state prison guards union, even if it is not likely to succeed.

"I hope that I don't have to tell you what an ill-considered idea that is. We did it once; we did not do it lightly," Wilson said, referring to the 2003 recall of former governor Gray Davis (D). "It is something that should not be taken lightly. It is an extreme measure."

A conservative wing of the state GOP was scheduled to vote Saturday on whether to endorse the recall campaign but instead decided to further investigate the effort first.

In his speech to about 250 delegates, Wilson did not directly address the rift between the politically moderate Schwarzenegger and others in his party. Schwarzenegger also avoided the topic during brief remarks Friday night.

The governor's unpopularity with the most conservative Republicans grew this summer after he proposed a temporary increase in the state's sales tax to help close what was then a $15.2 billion deficit.

The California Correctional Peace Officers Association filed formal notice this month of its effort to recall Schwarzenegger. The union criticized Schwarzenegger for what it called "catastrophic leadership failings and inept management" since he took office.

Schwarzenegger has not taken money from the prison guards. He has called its recall drive a political ploy designed to pressure him to give in to the union's demands during contract negotiations. The guards union has been without a contract for two years.