Davis calls Oct. 7 vote Republican power grab

LOS ANGELES -- Gov. Gray Davis, taking a combative stance Tuesday in the first major address since the recall qualified for the statewide ballot, denounced the Oct. 7 vote facing him as a Republican power grab.

In prepared remarks that he was to deliver later Tuesday, the Democratic governor acknowledged he was slow to act on California's energy crisis and that no one was happy with the budget he just signed.

But he sought to place the state's troubles in the perspective of an American economy that has "tanked" and proudly pointed to his funding of schools and health care.

"The Republicans behind the recall say they want you to vote me out because of past mistakes," he said. "But they don't give a rip about past mistakes -- they want power for the future, and with so many candidates, they think they can get it with the support of a tiny fraction of California voters."

Davis sought to reassert himself in a campaign that has largely focused on Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger and more than 130 other candidates seeking to replace him Oct. 7.

His speech came hours after Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, the most prominent Democrat on the ballot, released his own plan to turn around the state's economy, further complicating Davis' fight to remain in office.

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