A pair of politically powerful groups agreed Thursday to encourage voters to defeat the gubernatorial recall -- but also vote for Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante in case Gov. Gray Davis is removed from office.

The Democratic congressional delegation and the California Teachers Association each said they will simultaneously lend their support to the Democratic lieutenant governor and oppose the effort to oust Davis.

Though dual endorsements in a sense, the declarations contradict a strategy the Davis camp originally had pursued to dissuade high-profile Democrats from entering the race and instead unite behind the governor.

"We will strongly express our firm opposition to this misguided effort between now and Election Day, and we will strongly campaign against it," said a prepared statement by U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren of San Jose, chairwoman for the California Democratic Congressional Delegation.

"In addition, we ask that after Californians vote 'no' and reject the recall, they cast a vote for Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante," said the statement representing 33 California congressional Democrats. "We believe that whenever there is an election, Californians should always cast their vote."

Aides to the Democratic governor dismissed any negative fallout from the endorsements Thursday, saying several Democrats are supporting Davis by their opposition to the recall.

"We look at it as a victory because even though these groups might differ on strategy, they are committed to defeating the recall," said Davis campaign spokesman Gabriel Sanchez.

"Democrats throughout the state are united in their opposition to the recall, and that hasn't changed."

The 335,000-member teachers' union, which has given Davis more than $1 million over the years but didn't contribute during the 2001 campaign, has been at odds with him lately on a number of policy issues.

The union agreed to spend as much as $500,000 for an internal campaign to warn of the recall's pitfalls and support Bustamante, but the group has not yet decided whether to donate directly to the anti-recall or Bustamante campaigns.