SACRAMENTO -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday said the state's prison guards union's attempt to recall him an "intimidation tactic" designed to get them a bigger contract and to rake in campaign contributions along the way.

Schwarzenegger's formal legal response was as follows:

"This recall petition is special interest politics at its worst. It's not about the people of California; it's an intimidation tactic by the prison guards union to force Governor Schwarzenegger into giving them a bigger contract. The bosses want the same sweetheart deal Governor Davis gave them after $3 million in campaign contributions. When Governor Schwarzenegger ran for office he said if special interests tried to push him around he would push back.
 
The Los Angeles Times said this union "is fooling no one." The Sacramento Bee called it a "self-serving grab for power and money." The San Diego Union-Tribune says it's a "bullying tactic." The San Jose Mercury News calls this an attempt to "pressure" the Governor to "give away the store like his predecessor."
 
Even Democrat lawmaker Jackie Speier said this union has "a lock on the Legislature. ... They telegraph loud and clear: 'If you cross us, we'll take you out.'"
 
It's offensive that one special interest is using a recall to get more money. California faces a financial crisis and this union's leadership wants $1.3 billion more from taxpayers. Governor Schwarzenegger refuses to be intimidated and will do what's best for California, not a special interest."

A response from the California Correctional Peace Officers Association was not immediately available.