Republicans and Democrats took shots at each other Thursday over a legislative debate set next week on the troop buildup in Iraq.

Republican leaders vowed that the second half of the session, which starts next week, will take "a very ugly turn" if Democrats decide to debate a resolution that supports the troops but says the war has hurt the nation on several fronts. It also calls for troops to be phased out of Iraq.

Rep. Mike May, of Parker, and Sen. Andy McElhany, of Colorado Springs, called the resolution and the rare scheduling of a committee hearing to consider it a "shameful political stunt."

"That resolution isn't going to bring the troops home, nor is it going to solve transportation, health care, education or alternative energy," May said. "What is the point of it?"

But House Majority Leader Alice Madden countered that if lawmakers can make time to debate Republican resolutions honoring economist Milton Freidman and President Reagan, they should be able to discuss the "No. 1 issue in our country."

Senate President Joan Fitz- Gerald said it is relevant for the legislature to debate the resolution because of the war's financial impact.

"Iraq is taking a terrible toll on the federal government's commitment to public education, health care and transportation, because it's sucking all the dollars out of Washington, D.C.," said Fitz-Gerald, D-Coal Creek Canyon.

Both Madden, D-Boulder, Democrat, and Speaker Andrew Romanoff, D-Denver, said they were shocked by May's promise that things would become ugly.

"He's 'Stengelizing' himself," Madden said, referring to former Rep. Joe Stengel, who had a reputation for picking fights when he served as minority leader.

"I think Mike May is better than this," Romanoff said. "I don't know where he's getting his talking points."

May, who has a niece serving in Iraq, said he is concerned that the resolution undermines the morale of the troops.

And, he said, what is sure to be a bitter, partisan debate will destroy the "constructive engagement" that has occurred so far this session.

The resolution is scheduled for a public hearing before a Senate committee at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday — the same day as a long-scheduled leadership luncheon with Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter at the governor's mansion.

May and McElhany, who had planned to go, now have refused.

bartels@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5327