In a lengthy speech that is sure to be the subject of much debate in Albany, Governor Spitzer today is expected to draw a parallel between America’s historical struggles against communism and terrorism and his own battles with the Legislature as leader of New York.

Mr. Spitzer, whose administration has been under fire for misusing state police in an effort to taint a political enemy, is expected to argue that in both the arena of foreign policy and closer to home, leaders must not lose sight of the importance of exercising power with “humility” and “introspection.”

The governor yesterday headed to the tip of Western New York, where he is scheduled to speak at the famed Chautauqua Institution, which is hosting a weeklong forum titled “Security and Preparedness.” The governor’s lecture is said to run 15 single-spaced pages — a length that rivals his “State of the State” address in January.

Mr. Spitzer will invoke the words of Reinhold Niebuhr, the Protestant theologian who supported anti-communist efforts, America’s involvement in World War II, and the nation’s development of nuclear weapons, but who warned about the danger of ideological certainty and national hubris, according to a draft of the speech.

Mr. Spitzer will argue that the American government cannot protect the nation from dangers such as terrorism without having great power at its disposal, according to a draft of the speech. Although the use of that power in a long-term battle may be just, it must be tempered by restraint and humility, the governor is expected to say.

From that theme of balancing national security and moral interests, the governor is expected to segue into a discussion about Albany politics. The governor will highlight several of his policy accomplishments and goals and talk about his enthusiasm for change in state government, according to a draft of the speech.

Alluding to allegations against his administration, Mr. Spitzer is expected to fault himself for not heeding the lessons of Niebuhr by allowing his desire for change to overpower good judgment, prudence, and restraint.

Mr. Spitzer has been struggling to regain his political footing in the aftermath of a damaging report by Attorney General Cuomo’s office that found that at least two senior administration officials, including the governor’s communications director, conspired against the Republican Senate majority leader, Joseph Bruno.

The officials directed state police to dig up what they thought would be damaging information about Mr. Bruno’s use of security escorts and then leaked the records to a newspaper, the report found.

Mr. Spitzer, who has been described as a foreign policy hawk, is also expected to attack the Bush administration for not preparing a proper exit strategy prior to the Iraq war. He, however, will not call for an immediate end to the war.