ARNOLD, JOHN ARE CAPITOL'S ODD COUPLE GOVERNOR, SENATE LEADER FORGE EXTRA-PARTISAN BOND.

Byline: Harrison Sheppard Sacramento Bureau

SACRAMENTO - They are, without a doubt, the odd couple of California politics.

On one hand there's Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the charming, Republican neophyte populist.

On the other is Senate President Pro Tem John Burton, the crusty, liberal old-guard politico.

From opposite ends of the ideology and personality spectrums, the two have forged a friendship that has helped smooth the relations between their parties and their branches of government and get workers' compensation and other key measures passed.

When Schwarzenegger recently conducted a series of interviews with the press, there was Burton chuckling as he oh-so-humbly served espresso to the governor in his courtyard tent.

When the governor spoke after the workers' comp plan passed, the first person he thanked was Burton, calling him ``really outstanding and spectacular to work with.''

And when Burton - ironically dabbling in the governor's former realm - hosted a movie premiere in Sacramento to benefit a local charity, there were Schwarzenegger and first lady Maria Shriver attending at Burton's invite, lending their star power to what otherwise would have been a low-key event.

``They've developed a very interesting bond,'' said Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, D-Los Angeles. ``It's amazing to watch them talk about one another.

``John has served under a great many different governors, but he has said to me privately that Arnold Schwarzenegger is the governor that he has felt is most sincere about doing the right thing and about working with Democrats.''

Burton said he and Schwarzenegger have found common ground despite their political disagreements.

``I think what's surprised me is how easy he is to work with,'' Burton said in a recent interview. ``You know, he's kind of like me. He likes to get rid of all the bull---- and cut to the chase and get to where he has to go.''

The two have even been known to chat in the Austrian-born governor's native tongue.

``I would say that they've got some things in common and that (includes) a love of schnitzel,'' said Schwarzenegger's chief of staff, Patricia Clarey. ``Sen. Burton speaks a little German. ... He clearly has spent some time in Germany and has fallen in love with food from Austria and Germany.

``I've seen them go back and forth for four or five minutes (in German) - and I always assume they're talking about me. Why else does somebody change to a different language?''

The relationship is likely to be tested in the months ahead as the battle over the governor's plan to cut billions in social services is debated in the Legislature. Burton has already made clear that he will fight to protect programs for the most poor and vulnerable members of society, bedrock issues throughout his long career.

Burton, 71, is one of the most liberal members of the Legislature, a lifelong Democrat from San Francisco who has spent almost four decades in elective office fighting for liberal causes. He will be termed-out later this year.

Schwarzenegger, 56, has a well-known bio: an immigrant bodybuilder who became a Hollywood action hero as well as a businessman who, before 2003, had only dabbled in politics. Ideologically, he is conservative-to-moderate on fiscal issues and moderate-to-liberal on social issues.

Despite Burton's career, it is Schwarzenegger who is the more natural politician. He is comfortable before cameras and giving speeches to large crowds. He knows how to work the media. He puts progress over ideology.

And, in his short tenure as governor, he has been known as the even- keeled, eternal optimist, never showing a temper.

Burton, by contrast, has a prickly, even dark, side that emerges often. When he's in a bad mood, he swears and yells - and has no problem doing so in the middle of a press conference with cameras rolling. He dislikes formal business attire and is rarely found in a coat and tie when the Senate is not in session.

Burton said what he likes about the governor is that he is straightforward and willing to debate and compromise. Still, he added, Schwarzenegger also doesn't give up or give in easily.

``The workers' comp bill that passed wasn't my bill,'' Burton said. ``There were parts in it that we had that were good. But, no, yeah, he's no (expletive) wimp.''

Burton's relationship with Schwarzenegger is far better than he one with his predecessor, Democratic Gov. Gray Davis.

``Governor Davis was more stoic,'' Nunez said. ``He had a certain aloofness to him when he approached people and talked to people. He wasn't as focused on getting to know people just at a human level. ... This governor - I think even Democrats appreciate how he connects with people.''

Republican Senate Leader Sen. Jim Brulte, R-Rancho Cucamonga, said the Schwarzenegger-Burton alliance has been fueled in part by personality and in part by necessity.

``Both Governor Schwarzenegger and President Pro Tem Burton understand that, as the two leaders of their respective parties in the Capitol, they have to find a way of working together for the benefit of California.''

Despite the friendship, Burton doesn't hesitate to criticize the governor sharply when they disagree, and they're not afraid to tease each other in public.

At the movie premiere, hours after he signed the workers' comp deal, Schwarzenegger said it could not have been done without Burton.

He paused a second before joking, ``In fact, we have been spending so much time together that Mayor (Gavin) Newsom in San Francisco wants to give us a marriage license.''

Then, he waited a beat before turning toward Burton: ``You'd accept it, right? That should drive the Republicans crazy.''

Staff Writer David M. Drucker contributed to this report.

Harrison Sheppard, [phone]

harrison.sheppard(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger turns and smiles as state Sen. President Pro Tem John Burton jokes with him during the governor's first State of the State address on Jan. 6.

Rich Pedroncelli/Associated Press