By STEVE LAWRENCE
ASSOCIATED PRESS

SACRAMENTO -- Putting Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in a tight political position, the state Assembly voted Monday to place a measure on California's Feb. 5 ballot urging President Bush to immediately withdraw troops from Iraq.

The 43-32 roll call left the proposal one step from Schwarzenegger's desk. It was sent back to the Senate, which approved a slightly different version of the bill in June.

Final approval by the Senate would send the bill to the Republican governor, who could risk angering members of his own party by signing it and putting it on the presidential primary ballot or veto the bill and draw the wrath of the war's opponents.

The bill, by Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, D-Oakland, asks voters if Bush should "achieve the immediate, complete, safe and orderly withdrawal of United States forces" from Iraq.

Schwarzenegger has tried to steer a middle course on the issue, saying he supports the troops and the war on terrorism but also backs a "timetable for withdrawal."

A spokesman for the governor, Aaron McLear, said Schwarzenegger had not taken a position on the bill.

"We're aware of it," McLear said. "We have not reviewed the final version. We will review it and obviously take a position and take action on it."

The Assembly vote split mainly along party lines, with Democrats arguing the invasion of Iraq had been a disaster that had cost the United States dearly in lives and dollars.

"If silence equals consent, we cannot remain silent anymore," said Assemblywoman Loni Hancock, D-Berkeley. "We need to give the citizens of California a concrete opportunity to express their hopes."

Assemblyman Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael, said the decision to invade Iraq was a "terrible mistake, one that's making our country weaker, not stronger -- one that's empowering terrorists."

Assemblywoman Noreen Evans, D-Santa Rosa, said the "measure will give Californians an unprecedented means to voice their views on the war in Iraq."

She said she supported the bill "because the war overshadows many pressing issues here at home that cry out for our attention."

But Republicans argued an immediate withdrawal would threaten U.S. troops, encourage terrorism and trigger more violence in the region.

"Yes I want to withdraw from Iraq," said Assemblyman Paul Cook, R-Yucca Valley. "But I want to do it so we do not endanger those troops and . . . embolden certain elements."

The version approved in the Assembly would ask voters the following question: "Shall President George W. Bush, in support of the men and women serving in the Armed Forces of the United States, end the United States occupation of Iraq and achieve the immediate, complete, safe and orderly withdrawal of United States forces; and, further, shall President George W. Bush and the Congress provide the necessary diplomatic and nonmilitary assistance to promote peace and stability in Iraq and the Middle East?"

Some Republicans charged that the bill was a cynical attempt by Democrats to boost the turnout of voters who also might support an initiative to modify legislators' term limits.

The term-limits initiative, which is intended for the Feb. 5 ballot, would allow Perata and dozens of other lame-duck lawmakers to run for re-election next year.

"This is a political poll being done for political reasons at a politically expedient time," said Assemblyman John Benoit, R-Palm Desert.

But Perata said he doubted an advisory vote on the war would translate into votes for the term limits initiative.

While the Assembly was debating whether to pull out of Iraq, the Senate approved a resolution urging the president to stop sending National Guard troops to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The measure's author, Sen. Carole Migden, D-San Francisco, said members of the National Guard are needed at home.