Gary Coleman says he doesn't need donations for his campaign

LOS ANGELES (AP) Pint-sized ``Diff'rent Strokes'' actor Gary Coleman says he is running for governor of California without donations, expenses or regrets.

``I'm not spending any money, I am not taking any contributions, I am not taking donations,'' the 35-year-old actor said during an interview Thursday on ``The KTLA Morning News.''

``I get 67 phone calls from media outlets every damn day and I try to fulfill every one of those outlets ... so I'm not worried about exposure,'' the 4-foot-8-inch actor said. His $3,500 filing fee was paid by an alternative newspaper in the San Francisco area.

``I do believe I have some good ideas and solutions for the state of California,'' Coleman said.

``This is really interesting and cool and I've been enjoying the heck out of it because I get to be intelligent, which is something I don't get to do very often,'' he said.

``I thought, 'You know, somehow, some way we need to get this state back in shape, back in order and someone like me, someone who's new and not a politico, who's going to shake the trees and poke the bushes, needs to be in there,''' Coleman said, explaining why he wants to replace Gov. Gray Davis if there is an Oct. 7 recall.

``If I don't win, why not Arnold Schwarzenegger? I think he at least has the passion and the heart in the right place to do some good for California,'' he added.

Wearing a business suit, the actor perhaps best-known as Arnold and asking ``What you talkin' about, Willis?'' described what he believes is wrong with state government and what he believes needs to be done.

``You really have to do some drastic things lower income tax and raise sales tax,'' Coleman said.

Coleman bristled when asked if his candidacy, or those of the 134 others who have qualified for the Oct. 7 ballot, was a waste of voters' time.

``No, no, not at all,'' Coleman said. ``There are two reasons I am going to stay in until Oct 7: No. 1, I'm hoping that my presence will drive people to the polls and vote, and No. 2, any vote that goes to me doesn't go to Gray Davis.''

He was asked about presidential brother and Florida Gov. Jeb Bush's recent crack that electing Coleman would mean smaller government.

``He's as much of a showman and as much of a media hog as people think I am and I'm not. He just said that in fun and I take it in fun,'' Coleman said. ``This is the entertainment capital of the world and why can't our elections be fun and interesting and still be on point as well?''

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)