McClatchy Washington Bureau

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Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who years ago blasted legislators as "girlie men," is at it again — characterizing them as fearful and lacking backbone to do the right thing.

Schwarzenegger, speaking of the state's two-month budget standoff, told The Sacramento Bee that lawmakers are so afraid of political fallout that they can't "step over their own shadow."

"Everyone is kind of frightened to make any move," he said.

Schwarzenegger's release this week of his "compromise" budget proposal, anchored by a temporary sales tax increase, lifted the curtain on tense closed-door talks with legislative leaders over a $15.2 billion deficit.

The governor said he is "trying to act as the grown-up in the budget negotiations."

Read the full story at sacbee.com.