Ten Democratic members of Wisconsin’s state Legislature sent a letter to President Bush yesterday going on the record as asking Bush to slow possible action against Iraq and allow U.N. weapons inspectors more time.

“We strongly urge you to hear our and many other voices who are concerned about your current policy with Iraq and allow the international process that has started to continue to a hopefully peaceful outcome,” the letter reads.

The letter says that without a coalition in place similar to that which funded the Gulf War, action could disrupt the United States’ already shaky economy and further alienate Americans from the world scene.

Rep. Scott Suder, R-Abbotsford, did not sign the letter and was strongly opposed to the action.

“That sort of thing drives me nuts,” Suder said. “I think the state Legislature has better things to do with its time.”

Suder said those in state legislature and U.S. Congress who are trying to make U.S. action a political, partisan issue should “frankly apologize to the president.”

“Unless they are privy to national security briefings or U.N. briefings, they have no idea what they’re talking about in the way the president does,” Suder said.

Suder said the letter does not represent the feelings of all Wisconsinites.

“I know there’s an idea that Madison is 42 square miles surrounded by reality,” Suder said. “But here up north, people are supporting our president and supporting our nation’s troops.”

But Rep. John Lehman, D-Racine, defended the effort.

“This is a number of people putting together an effort to try and persuade President Bush to slow down the war effort and listen to the opinions of the world community and the U.N,” he said.

Although only 10 Democrats signed on, the letter was forwarded to all senators and representatives via e-mail.

“It was circulated to all the Legislature, and everyone had a chance to sign on,” Lehman said.

Lehman said part of the reason he decided to sign the letter was a growing concern among his constituency.

“I represent 54,000 people. There’s a difference of opinion right now, but it’s probably more difficult to express opposition at this point,” Lehman said. Lehman said he had witnessed yard-sign campaigns and peace vigils in his district.

“Legislators who signed on had been talking to people from the big ‘Not In Our Name’ rally in Madison,” said Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison. “Just this weekend we had between five (thousand) and eight thousand people protesting on State Street in Madison.”