LOS ANGELES (AP) – California Republicans are headed for a showdown over the direction of the party that could highlight schisms across the United States with regard to gay rights, gun control and abortion.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger wants the state Republican platform – the party’s statement of core values – boiled down to as little as a single page focusing on lowering taxes, limiting the size of government and building a strong national defense.

A centrist, the actor-governor describes himself as a “post-partisan” who wants to bridge the political divide between Republicans and Democrats that often leaves the state capital of Sacramento in gridlock.

But some conservatives see his move as an attempt to undercut party positions on everything from traditional marriage to opposition to abortion rights.

“There’s a move afoot to make sure the Republican Party stands for nothing,” said Michael Spence, president of the conservative California Republican Assembly. It’s “a direct assault on Republican Party principles.”

State party members will begin work on a new platform later this week.

Schwarzenegger is circulating a letter, also signed by Republican leaders in the legislature, that says the platform should be distilled to a page or two of concise principles echoing those held by party hero, Ronald Reagan, who was both California governor and later U.S. president.

The current state platform runs about a dozen pages and opposes same-sex marriage and domestic-partner benefits; calls for overturning the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that established a constitutional right to an abortion; and opposes gun registration.

The governor’s letter makes no mention of those issues.