Los Angeles ? Former President Clinton railed against the gubernatorial recall campaign Sunday in an effort to energize California Democrats increasingly hopeful they can defeat the attempt to oust Gov. Gray Davis.

Clinton, still a highly popular and polarizing figure nearly three years after leaving office, mixed Scripture with politics in his 40-minute address during a midmorning service at the First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Los Angeles, the city’s oldest black congregation.

He repeated Democrats’ theme that the Oct. 7 recall election is part of a right-wing power grab, and said removing Davis could scare future officeholders away from making difficult choices.

“Gray Davis and I have been friends for a long time, and I don’t want this happening to him,” Clinton said. “This is way bigger than him. It’s you I’m worried about. It’s California I worry about. I don’t want you to become a laughingstock or the beginning of a circus in America where we throw people out for making tough decisions.”

After a pause, he continued, “Don’t do this. Don’t do this,” as the congregation erupted in applause.

Clinton is the first of several prominent national Democrats who have scheduled visits this week to campaign alongside Davis against the recall. The list includes Al Gore, Jesse Jackson and several Democratic presidential candidates.

California Gov. Gray Davis, left, and former President Bill Clinton, center, answer questions after making an appearance in Los Angeles. Clinton has urged Californians not to recall Davis.