A war of words over a proposed war resolution intensified Monday, as Democrats and Republicans prepare to do battle Wednesday when the measure is heard.

Democratic lawmakers say it's appropriate for the legislature to debate the resolution because the cost of the conflict is resulting in fewer federal dollars to Colorado.

The resolution states it is not in the national interest of the United States to deepen its military involvement in Iraq.

Republicans fear that the resolution will undermine the troops.

But Sen. Ron Tupa, D-Boulder, who introduced the war resolution, said the arguments Republicans are making don't support the troops, but rather support "the president's failed Iraq war policy."

"You don't support the troops by sending them inadequately trained and equipped on their second or third deployment into the middle of an Iraqi civil war," Tupa said.

Said Sen. Mike Kopp, R-Littleton: "Democrats want to make the resolution about the Bush administration. I think the issue is rightness of the cause."

Kopp is sponsoring a support-the-troops rally before the hearing. Among those who plan to attend is Mary Smith, new chairwoman of the Denver Republican Party.

"Colorado Democrats carrying an Iraq war related resolution is a lot like a vapid pageant queen gazing into the camera and wishing blankly for 'world peace,' " she said. "Same purpose, same end."

But Senate Majority Leader Ken Gordon, D-Denver, said the the debate is needed.

"If we're facing such a deadly threat in Iraq, then why not reinstate the draft and raise taxes to deal with it?" Gordon said. "They're pretending you can spend $500 billion on a war and no one has to pay for it."

Gordon, who is co-sponsoring the resolution, last week asked Cabinet directors for a tally on how the war has affected the state budget through reduced federal funding and grants.

He said he doesn't have the official figure yet, but that some departments witnessed cuts in money for homeland security, corrections, agriculture, Head Start, Medicaid and other programs.

But House Minority Leader Mike May, R-Parker, said he's skeptical that the war is impacting the state budget.

"What money is that?" he said. "Show me a cut that is related to the Iraq war."

If the resolution is approved, copies would be sent to the president and members of the congressional delegation.

Words of war

A fierce, ugly battle is expected at the Capitol on Wednesday when a Senate committee debates a resolution against sending more troops to Iraq.

• When is the hearing? 1 p.m., but an unrelated bill is scheduled to be heard first.

• Where is the hearing? Old Supreme Court chambers, second floor, north side of the state Capitol.

• What committee is going to hear the resolution? The Senate State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee, made up of three Democrats and two Republicans. The chairman is Sen. Peter Groff, D-Denver.

• How do I testify? Sign up when you arrive at the hearing.

• What's in the resolution? It's actually Senate Joint Memorial 2, but everyone refers to it as a resolution. It's called "Stop the Escalation of War in Iraq." Read it online at RockyMountainNews.com

• Are there going to be any war-related rallies Wednesday at the Capitol? So far one is scheduled at 12:30 p.m. at Lincoln Park, near the Colorado Veterans Monument, west of the Capitol. It's sponsored by Republicans in support of the troops.

• What about other rallies? Various groups have scheduled five anti-war rallies in five days, starting Friday, either at Lincoln Park or the Capitol's west steps.

• What's the next step if the committee passes the resolution? It will be heard by the full Senate. If approved, it goes to the House for a debate there.

• Do the Republicans have their own war resolution? Yes, it's Senate Joint Resolution 22, "Support United States Troops in Iraq." Read it online at RockyMountainNews.com.

• When is that resolution going to be heard? No date has been set.

bartels@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5327

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