Faced with a recall that's picking up steam daily -- and a governor who seems to be losing steam with voters just as fast -- Gray Davis' supporters in the Democratic Party have come up with a unique counterstrategy.

They are going to try to make the recall of Davis be about everything but Davis.

It's a piece of political jujitsu aimed at both beating back the Republican- fueled recall and discouraging any ambitious Democrats who may be thinking of jumping into the fray if the recall qualifies.

The first phase kicked off this past week with a series of pro-choice "demonstrations" across the state -- including a rally Friday on the steps of San Francisco's City Hall.

The message: Republican Rep. Darrell Issa of San Diego County -- who wants to replace Davis, and who has funded the recall to the tune of $800,000 -- is an extremist who would represent "a giant step backward" for the pro-choice state.

There will also be "demonstrations" on education, the environment, gay rights and just about anything else that will help define a "right-wing conspiracy."

At the same time, Democratic strategists will be sending a private message to Issa: If you keep funding the recall, we will make you just as big and public a target as the governor.

"We have two goals," said one Democrat behind the play. "At best, put enough heat on Issa so he'll stop funding the recall drive. Barring that, at least we can start controlling the message."

The message in this case being -- no matter how much you dislike Davis (and polls show many Democratic women do dislike him), he's still better than an anti-abortion Republican like Issa.

Another message is for Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, Attorney General Bill Lockyer and other Democrats who may be thinking of running if the recall qualifies.

"Make it seem that they would somehow be helping the Republican right wing, " the Davis operative said. "The whole dynamic comes down to making this about the right wing."

Will it work?

Maybe -- but, to be honest, Democrats outside the Davis circle aren't buying it.

"This is the same strategy they tried against (Republican) Bill Simon in the last election," said one Democratic pollster. "And he came within five points of beating Davis.

"They have to face up to the fact that for many people, this whole thing isn't about politics -- it's personal," the pollster said. "People just don't like Gray Davis."