LOS ANGELES -- Gov. Gray Davis, opening a new phase in his campaign to hold on to his job, took his case directly to the voters Tuesday -- accepting criticism for acting too slowly on the energy crisis but not offering any apologies.

Instead, he defended his record on energy and the state budget crisis and vowed to fight the Oct. 7 recall election, which he termed a "right-wing power grab," by traveling the state in what aides said will be a series of town hall meetings.

"The Republicans say this recall is about ousting me for past problems," he said in a 19-minute speech televised live around the state. "But my friends, we are getting over our past problems. California did not go dark. I signed a budget. The schools are getting better, and our economy will turn around."

Arriving onstage with his wife, Sharon, at his side, he was welcomed with a standing ovation from an invited crowd of about 300 union activists and supporters. They frequently interrupted his address at UCLA's Ackerman Hall with cheers, chants, boos and standing ovations.

"I know that many of you feel that I was too slow to act on the energy crisis," the Democratic governor said. "I got your message, and I accept that criticism."

Davis also acknowledged that he "could have been tougher in holding the line on spending" during state budget surpluses. But he said most of the increases went to education and health. "I make no apologies for that," he said.

Davis' speech marked a change in direction for an anti-recall campaign that had tried to stay above the fray by holding a series of press events in which he declared his support for legislation popular with his Democratic supporters.

His speech drew praise from supporters and criticism from Republican officials and GOP candidates seeking to replace him.

Davis reiterated his criticism of the energy companies, saying federal investigations proved his claim that California was "victimized by a massive fraud." But he said he had "refused to give in to the pressure to raise rates" and pointed out that the lights have stayed on in California for 2 1/2 years -- while power failed throughout the northeastern United States, the Midwest and parts of Canada last week.

"I'm not looking for praise," he said. "We made our share of mistakes. And like you, I wish I had known then all I know now."

Davis called critics' claims that he hid the state's deficit until after his re-election in November "preposterous."

"State finances are a matter of public record," he said.

The governor also reiterated that he wasn't pleased with the budget he signed last month, blaming Republican lawmakers who wouldn't compromise for the final document.

He asked for his supporters' help as he wages what one supporter, former U.S. Housing Secretary Henry Cisneros, called the "fight of his life."

"I may not be the warmest TV personality," Davis said. "But I am warming to this fight, and I will go all over this state, talk to all comers, answer all their questions, and I might even have one or two of my own to ask them."

Davis repeatedly attacked Republicans, saying the recall campaign is part of an "ongoing national effort to steal elections" that the GOP can't win. The governor said it started with the House of Representatives' impeachment of President Clinton and continued into the 2000 dispute over the Florida election results in the presidential contest.

Davis included recent fights in Colorado and Texas over congressional districts as evidence of the GOP "trying to steal" additional House seats. He said Republicans who want to oust him "don't give a rip about past mistakes" and want power.

Duf Sundheim, state Republican Party chairman, called Davis' remarks an "insult to the people who signed the recall petitions." "This is a grass-roots revolt, revolting against five years of this administration," he said.

Sundheim's comments after the speech to reporters at UCLA drew the ire of the partisan crowd. A small group surrounded him, drowning out Sundheim's words with chants of "No recall!" and he left the hall.

Sherry Bebitch Jeffe, a University of Southern California analyst, said the speech was aimed at generating enthusiasm among Davis' Democratic supporters rather than educating the voters about his record.

"This was red meat for the party faithful," she said.

Republican candidates seeking to replace Davis if he is recalled criticized him for failing to take responsibility for the state's problems and his own political crisis.

"What we heard was it was somebody else's fault," Pacific Palisades investor Bill Simon said in a conference call to reporters after the speech. "It's a conspiracy. It's President Bush. It's the national economy. It's everything but Gray Davis himself."

Actor and candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger didn't react directly to the speech. But his campaign manager, George Gorton, said Davis needed to deliver a "mea culpa, and he did a mea good guy."

He said the speech itself came across as fake, from the audience selection to the message.

"It was like a sitcom that had a laugh track," Gorton said. "It was a totally loaded audience. They booed on cue and they cheered wildly. ... It did not look heartfelt. It did not look sincere."

Arianna Huffington, political columnist turned independent candidate, said Davis is "still in the back pocket of special interests, and no boilerplate speech can change that."

Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, the only prominent Democrat on the recall ballot, declined to comment on the speech. He is urging voters to vote no on the recall and yes on his candidacy.

Pollster Frank Luntz, who conducted surveys for one of the groups advocating the recall, Rescue California, said the speech came too late to save Davis.

"Voters will listen and say it's too little, too late," Luntz said. "They want someone who gets it, feels it and understands it. Gray Davis doesn't get it or feel it. He now understands it, and that is why he is giving the speech."

Dan Terry, president of the California Professional Firefighters Association, disagreed, saying Davis had taken responsibility for the energy crisis and "laid responsibility where it belonged."

"I am proud of my governor," he said. "He did a good job."