SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California Gov.-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger (search) met Thursday with the man he'll be replacing and both said they had started a "great relationship" and would work closely before Schwarzenegger becomes governor next month.
The Republican actor said there were no hard feelings between himself and Democratic Gov. Gray Davis (search) lingering from the state's historic recall election.
"He kept his promise," Schwarzenegger said. "Every day we are working with his office, and they have been really fantastic to work with. So, I think we can continue on having a great relationship here and a working relationship.
"We will need the governor's help in the future."
Schwarzenegger also was meeting with each of the statewide office holders -- including recall election opponent Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante (search). On Wednesday, he paid personal visits to top Democrats and Republicans in the Legislature, describing the talks as "relationship building" sessions.
On Thursday, after a brief meeting in the governor's Cabinet room, Davis said his main advice to Schwarzenegger that he was willing to share publicly was something his wife had told him: "Just enjoy every moment. This is the best job you'll ever have. Even on the bad days, enjoy it."
Davis said it was "not fun" to lose the recall election, but promised to "do my very best to help Gov.-elect Schwarzenegger be a success, because I love this state."
He said that once he leaves office, he will try to find ways to champion some of the same causes he championed in Sacramento, though he did not elaborate.
No date has been announced for Schwarzenegger to be sworn in, but he is widely expected to take office shortly after Nov. 15, the last day for the secretary of state to certify results of the Oct. 7 election in which Davis was ousted and Schwarzenegger was chosen as his successor.
During his first official visit to the Capitol on Wednesday, Schwarzenegger pledged "action, action, action, action" in his administration. He picked a chief of staff, Patricia Clarey, and announced plans to call legislators back in a special session.
Clarey, 50, was a deputy chief of staff for former Gov. Pete Wilson in the mid-1990s, and previously worked in Washington, D.C., under Presidents Reagan and George H.W. Bush.
"She has a very good understanding of how the governor's office works," said Rob Stutzman, a spokesman for Schwarzenegger's transition team.
The special legislative session Schwarzenegger plans to call is expected to deal with workers' compensation reform and repealing legislation recently signed by Davis to grant driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants. Other possible topics include political reform and budget issues, Stutzman said.
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