Newbie: Can I use a variable for id in a getAttribute function?

I'm trying to  use a variable on a webpage to plug into a getAttribute tag:
var partnerCompanyName = "<%=getAttribute('partner',intPartnerInternalID,'companyname')%>";

I've checked and I'm using an integer.  If instead of using intPartnerInternalID, I use a number like 198 it works.  If I try to use it like it is above I get an pop-up error message on the webpage saying "Syntax error: parameter intPartnerInternalID in method getAttribute is not a valid quoted string." 

I've tried several variations, but can't seem to find anyway to use a variable in the getAttribute function.  I've checked through alerts to make sure the variable value is what I'm expecting. I feel like I'm missing something easy.  Any help would be appreciated.  Thanks!