SAN FRANCISCO -- California's congressional Democrats endorsed Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante's motto of "No on recall, yes on Bustamante" on Thursday -- another blow to Gov. Gray Davis' anti-recall strategy.

"We strongly oppose the recall, but if California voters make a different choice, then Lt. Governor Bustamante is the appropriate person to assume the office," Rep. Zoe Lofgren said after she and other Democratic representatives nailed down the endorsement in a conference call Thursday.

Lofgren, of San Jose, said Californians had an election less than a year ago, and picked Davis, but now Republicans want to reverse the results through a recall that will cost the state millions of dollars.

She called Bustamante highly qualified to lead the state should a vacancy occur.