GOVERNOR : Feinstein, Wilson Differ on Approach for the Final Days : Democrat: She blames ‘sexual stereotyping’ for her standing in the polls. Tough new TV ad blames the GOP for the state’s troubles.

In her last full day of campaigning in Southern California, Democrat Dianne Feinstein said Friday that “sexual stereotyping” is in part responsible for her failure to overtake Republican U.S. Sen. Pete Wilson in the polls.

Feinstein said many people believe mistakenly that a woman cannot be a good enough manager to govern the state in tough economic times.

“Men are looked at as better managers,” she told reporters after visiting a senior citizen lunch center here. “Many of us know that women manage their families, they manage their homes, they manage their communities. Increasingly, women are chief executives now. I’m a very strong manager.”

When pressed to describe what she might do to change the voters’ perception, Feinstein said she had no “magic rabbit” to pull from a hat before the race for governor ends Tuesday.

“I’m the only rabbit,” she said.

The only surprise Feinstein promised to deliver was a victory.

A recent California Poll showed her trailing Wilson by 8%, and the Los Angeles Times Poll has her trailing by 5% among those considered most likely to vote in a medium-turnout election.

She said many people simply do not think a woman can be elected governor.

“People say because it hasn’t happened, it won’t happen,” she said. “Maybe that’s the way the world is. Until the first man touched down on the moon, people said it couldn’t be done. That’s the way it is when you cross frontiers. And I’m on the verge of crossing one.”

During the next three days, Feinstein said, she plans to hammer home the same themes she has spelled out throughout the campaign: That she is tough on crime but caring when it comes to social programs.

“I think my record has been strong and positive, and I am asking people to vote for me on Tuesday,” Feinstein said. “More than that I can’t do.”

Feinstein also placed on television Friday a harshly partisan commercial that blames Republicans for all of the ills of California and cites her as the candidate of change.

“For eight years, the Republicans have taken us in the wrong direction,” the ad says. “Eight years of uncontrolled growth, traffic and smog. Schools that don’t teach. Criminals that don’t get punished. Eight years of a philosophy that favors the rich and hurts everyone else. It’s time for a change.”

The ad alternates pictures of Gov. George Deukmejian and Wilson. Clearly trying to appeal to any voter anger toward incumbents, the ad calls Wilson “a career politician, and more of the same.”

The new commercial will alternate over the weekend with an ad now running that accuses Wilson of voting for the biggest tax increase in state history, a charge based on his vote as an assemblyman in 1967. Another ad, this one a “positive” spot that spotlights Feinstein, is set to begin running today.

Feinstein made four stops Friday--three in the Inland Empire and one in Santa Barbara--before hosting four fund-raisers, the final such events in a race that has been dominated by both candidates’ need to raise money.

At UC Riverside, Feinstein toured a lab and spoke to professors researching the effect of smog on plants and trees. Then, speaking to a small group of students in what is the fastest-growing area of the state, she made a pitch for her plan to create a state commission to manage growth.

In San Bernardino, Feinstein visited Casa Ramona, a private social service center that has child care and services for senior citizens. She was welcomed by about 50 young children, each of whom handed her a red carnation. Then she lunched on tamales and beans with about 250 elderly residents of the area.

“I will protect your person and your pocketbook,” she said.

Later in the day, Feinstein toured the Upland Police Department and then flew to Santa Barbara for an airport press conference.

Today, she will travel up the San Joaquin Valley from Bakersfield to Sacramento aboard a train filled with supporters and reporters. On Sunday, she will visit churches in the Bay Area and then conclude the campaign Monday with a plane trip around the state.