SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Democratic gubernatorial candidate Phil Angelides said Monday that he will try his best to bring National Guard troops home from Iraq.

But critics called his pledge an empty campaign tactic to attract skeptical and disengaged party members.

Under the Supremacy Clause, states have no ability to veto National Defense decisions by recalling troops.

McGeorge Professor John Sims said the law seems clear-cut.

"Legally I believe that the statutes that've been passed by Congress, based on constitutional authority, would give that authority to the president," Sims said.

California National Guard sources confirmed that, citing a 1990 Supreme Court decision that allows guard troops to be federalized without a governor's consent.

Opponents said Angelides' pledge is an attempt to drum up support from Democratic voters. Polls have shown that he needs help mobilizing Democrats to support his campaign. By criticizing the president's deployment of National Guard troops, Angelides is trying to tap into a vast pool of voter discontent.

That effort has been aggravated in recent weeks by legislative Democrats who have been at Schwarzenegger's side at bill signings, fueling speculation that electing a Democratic as governor is not their top priority.

"They like being kings of the Legislature," said political analyst Tony Quinn. "It's a different world for them when they are the party bosses."

Angelides said he's not worried about the seeming lack of party support.

"This isn't about being one of the boys in the Capitol," Angelides said. "This is about fighting for the people who need a champion."

Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, who co-chairs Angelides' campaign, said his frequent appearances with Schwarzenegger are just a function of the bill-signing season.

"By the end of the month, the governor has to make final decisions on what bills he signs and what bills he vetoes, and it just so happens that I had a very good year this year with the governor...and we're signing all of our bills," Nunez said.

The speaker said he and other Democrats will also be campaigning with Schwarzenegger in coming weeks to pass four public works bonds on the November ballot.

Meanwhile, Angelides will proceed with two more speeches Tuesday on the National Guard issue.