ARNOLD CALLS TRIO OF DEMOCRATS 'THREE STOOGES'.

Byline: Steve Geissinger and David M. Drucker Sacramento Bureau

Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Democratic Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata of Oakland exchanged broadsides Wednesday, with the governor calling a trio of Democrats ``the Three Stooges'' for attacks on his budget and his government-reform efforts.

Three statewide elected Democrats - Treasurer Phil Angelides, Attorney General Bill Lockyer and Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell - have made joint appearances across the state this month in opposition to some of the governor's initiatives.

Representatives of Angelides, Lockyer and O'Connell dismissed Schwarzenegger's comment.

The governor's remark followed a Daily News report on Sunday about the state's top Democrats stumbling or being crippled politically by corruption probes as they gear up for political battle against him.

Perata, one of the Democrats facing a corruption probe over alleged fiscal improprieties, said the governor's comment sounded like he was in a ``frat house.''

``It doesn't serve any particular purpose,'' the Senate leader said at a Capitol news conference. ``When people respond this way, I just don't have a lot of time for that. I think it's unfortunate.''

Angelides, Lockyer and O'Connell have attacked the GOP governor for borrowing to balance the budget and for what they say is his broken vow to fully fund education. But political analysts say Angelides' and Lockyer's criticisms have been discounted politically to some extent because of their expected interest in running for governor in 2006. O'Connell is relatively little-known among the public statewide.

Like Perata, Secretary of State Kevin Shelley also faces investigations of alleged fiscal improprieties.

Analysts say two other statewide-elected Democrats, Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante and Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi, stumbled during the recall election. Bustamante ran unsuccessfully against party leaders' wishes and lost. Garamendi jumped into the recall race and right back out again.

Another statewide-elected Democrat, Controller Steve Westley, was supportive of the governor's fiscal policies last year in trying to avoid state bankruptcy. Rounding out the Democrats' lineup is Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez of Los Angeles, a relative newcomer.

Schwarzenegger said Democrats are focusing on the ``wrong things'' as they press him to seek more federal funds or advocate cutting corporate tax loopholes.

Perata announced on Wednesday that town-hall meetings will be held around the state to gather public comments on issues facing the state.

Steve Geissinger, [phone]

sgeissinger(at)angnewspapers.com