EGGING EACH OTHER ON THE YOLK'S ON ARNOLD AFTER BEING PELTED BY PROTESTER.

Byline: Ian Hanigan Staff Writer

LONG BEACH - Arnold Schwarzenegger might have missed out on the verbal salvos of the first gubernatorial debate Wednesday, but he couldn't elude an egg that was hurled at him on the campus of California State University, Long Beach.

Schwarzenegger was pelted on the left shoulder, shortly before taking the stage in the university's central quad on the south end of campus.

But the Republican candidate calmly removed his stained coat and addressed the boisterous crowd, saying he would work to create new jobs and reform workers' compensation if elected.

``The politicians have had their chance and they have failed,'' Schwarzenegger told about 2,000 students who packed grandstands and lawns. ``I'm tired of hearing politicians say 'We can't do this' or 'We can't do that.' I will be the governor who believes in what California can do.''

Schwarzenegger, who was invited by student groups, took a centrist approach as he insisted that the upcoming recall election was not about Democrats versus Republicans. Rather, he said, it was about fixing the state and its economy.

``The people here have risen up,'' he said. ``One-point-six million people have signed the recall petition, and they are saying: We are mad as hell and we are not gonna take it anymore.''

In his first formal campaign speech, Schwarzenegger said he would work to boost employment as governor but offered little in the way of a job-generating strategy. If elected, he said, he would have a team of experts examine state spending ``line by line,'' and he would convene a special legislative session to reform the state's costly workers' compensation system.

The bodybuilder-turned-actor-turned-politico demonstrated his ability to read his audience, as he blasted state officials for the California State University system's two fee hikes in the past year.

``It is outrageous that Sacramento increased the tuition by 40 percent in one year,'' Schwarzenegger said, igniting cheers. ``We must never let that happen again.''

As for that audience, there was palpable buzz on the CSULB campus all morning as word spread of Schwarzenegger's appearance. Tim Kobel and Matthew Lozano, both 18, arrived early to see one of their favorite action stars.

``I just want to hear what he has to say,'' said Kobel.

``I know him as the actor,'' added Lozano, ``but I don't really know him as the Republican candidate.''

Wendy Weiss, a 20-year-old psychology major, said she wasn't a huge fan of Schwarzenegger's films, though she did enjoy ``Kindergarten Cop.''

``I'm definitely curious to hear what he has to say,'' Weiss said, ``but I really just want to see him.''

Talking to reporters after the speech, Schwarzenegger was questioned about his decision to opt out of the debate. He stressed the importance of going up and down the state to get the views of Californians from many walks of life.

``One of my favorite things to do is stand there with people and debate over the issues and then let the people decide,'' he said.

Most of those in attendance were supportive of Schwarzenegger, and those who were not were quickly drowned out by chants of ``Arnold, Arnold!''

And then there was the mysterious egg-thrower. By Wednesday evening, CSULB police Capt. Stan Skipworth said no arrests had been made.

``At this point, we're still investigating,'' Skipworth said.

Schwarzenegger shrugged off the yolky incident and began his speech at about 1 p.m. with a few words for students who skipped class to catch a glimpse of the Terminator.

``If your professor asks you why you're not in your regular class, you just tell him you're here attending the class of professor Schwarzenegger,'' he said. ``My grading system is simple: If you know how to spell 'Schwarzenegger,' you get an A. And if you're a Democrat willing to cross over and vote for me, you get an A-plus.''

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Ian Hanigan, [phone]

ian.hanigan(at)presstelegram.com

CAPTION(S):

8 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- 2 -- color) California gubernatorial candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger, arriving to give a speech at California State University, Long Beach, on Wednesday, starts to remove his jacket after being hit by an egg tossed by a crowd member. Elsewhere in the state, the other top five leading candidates for governor in the Oct. 7 recall election attend a debate in Walnut Creek.

Jeff Gritchen/Staff Photographer

Paul Sakuma/Associated Press

(3) Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante (D)

(4) Peter Camejo (Green)

(5) Arianna Huffington (I)

(6) State Sen. Tom McClintock (R)

(7) Arnold Schwarzenegger (R)

(8) Peter Ueberroth (R)

Box:

RECALL DEBATE

SOURCE: Daily News research