LOS ANGELES ---- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger spent part of the last Sunday before Election Day dancing at a black church, while state Treasurer Phil Angelides was busy imploring Democratic activists to bring home the party's vote.

The contrast bespoke the Republican governor's huge lead heading into Tuesday's election. It also underscored just how different California looks this year from the rest of the country.

While elsewhere Republicans fight to stay in office amid what looks to be a Democratic tidal wave, Schwarzenegger has had the luxury of spending the critical last weeks of the race wooing Democratic voters in places like the Brookins Community Church in Los Angeles.

After a warm introduction from the pastor, who stopped just short of an endorsement, Schwarzenegger delivered a hybrid message, advocating a limited role for government even as he celebrated the big spending in this year's budget on schools and after-school programs.

Such tactics have helped him triangulate between the two major parties even in this polarized environment. Polls have shown he has a 16- to 18-point lead and is retaining conservatives while attracting independents and Democrats.

Schwarzenegger is leading in spite of a Democratic tide so strong that two normally safe Republican House seats in California have suddenly become competitive, those held by John Doolittle, of Rocklin, and Richard Pombo, of Tracy.

Jerry McNerney, the Democrat challenging Pombo, announced Sunday that actor Michael J. Fox had endorsed him, citing McNerney's support for stem cell research.

Democrats are counting on antipathy toward Bush and excitement about the possibility of taking control of the House and even the Senate to get their voters to the polls despite disappointment about Angelides' flagging campaign.

High-profile Democrats like former President Bill Clinton, former Vice President Al Gore and Sen. Dianne Feinstein also have been trying to stir excitement by urging a yes vote for Proposition 87, which would fund research into alternative energy by taxing the oil produced in California.

Support for the measure is lagging after an onslaught by oil companies, which have helped turn Proposition 87 into California's most expensive ballot fight.

At a frenzied rally in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley, volunteer door knockers headed out Sunday morning wearing "Yes on 87" T-shirts.

Angelides, his voice hoarse from days of campaigning, exhorted the volunteers to make wayward Democrats stay loyal and tried to associate Schwarzenegger with the national Republicans.

"We can do better than Arnold Schwarzenegger," he said. "We can do better than Republican policies for California."

But at the church in Los Angeles it was hard to tell that Schwarzenegger was a Republican. He arrived with his wife, Maria Shriver, and her mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, a sister to the late President Kennedy.

Pastor Frederick Murph, noting today is Shriver's birthday, led the congregation in singing her happy birthday.

"I like this man, and he's got a good heart," Murph said as he introduced Schwarzenegger.

The pastor said the governor helped win his loyalty when he made a condolence call after his father, Bishop Henry Murph, died.

"Come on, give him some love!" Murph exhorted the audience.

Schwarzenegger, who beamed, gave a pep talk and effused about the gospel music that filled the church.

"I am energized here today," Schwarzenegger said. "And I promise you, I'll be back."

Both Angelides and Schwarzenegger attended a memorial service in Devore for five firefighters killed fighting a Southern California arson fire last month, although only Schwarzenegger was allowed to speak.

Feinstein also spoke at the ceremony, which was attended by thousands of firefighters. Her remarks seemed to anticipate Schwarzenegger would win re-election.

She said that she and the governor, along with local congressional representatives, "have fought and will continue to fight for federal and state funding to protect our communities from catastrophic fire."