ORANGEBURG, S.C. - Democratic presidential candidates largely stood together Thursday in support of a U.S. troop withdrawal from

Iraq — and then sought to separate themselves on the details — in the first primary debate of the 2008 race.

The war was one of many likely topics during the 90-minute event at South Carolina State University, just hours after the Senate voted to begin pulling troops out of Iraq by Oct. 1.

The debate comes some nine months before the first votes are cast in a warp-speed primary campaign. The stakes were high for all eight Democrats getting their first chance to directly challenge each other's record.

Scheduled to take part were Sens.

Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, Barack Obama (news, bio, voting record) of Illinois, Chris Dodd of Connecticut and Joe Biden of Delaware. Joining them were 2004 vice presidential nominee

John Edwards, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, Rep.

Dennis Kucinich of Ohio and former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel.

The debate format barred opening or closing statements and limited the candidates' responses to one minute to ensure a lively pace for the audience and some 600 journalists accredited to cover the event.

NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams was chosen to moderate the debate broadcast on MSNBC.

Candidates complained about the format, but all realized that it had the potential to create a moment — a sharp-tongued attack line, a memorable gaffe, a clever joke — that can help make or break a candidate.

"I've seen campaigns turn on 30 seconds," said South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn, who helped draw the candidates to the debate on the campus of his alma mater.

Campaigning in South Carolina on Thursday, Edwards said he would use his debate time to challenge his rivals to stand up to the president even if he vetoes the legislation containing the timetable. He singled out his chief rivals — Clinton and Obama — and said Congress should insist on a pullout plan to continue funding the war.

All four Democratic senators seeking the presidency voted for the legislation.

"I think that the Congress should stand firm against the president and use its funding authority to force him to withdraw troops from Iraq," Edwards told reporters in rural Allendale, S.C. "I haven't heard Senator Clinton say that."

Edwards pointed out that Obama predicted earlier this month that if Bush vetoes the withdrawal legislation, Congress will quickly approve funding for the war because it won't "play chicken" with the troops.

"I think this is a case where it shouldn't be about politics, it should be about being strong," Edwards said.

Biden said he hoped to use the debate to urge his rivals to support his plan for peace in Iraq, which would involve partitioning the country along ethnic lines.

"I'm going to press hard on what I think is the only rational answer to deal with single biggest problem the country faces now," Biden said on a conference call with reporters.

Kucinich was the only Democratic candidate to vote against the bill with the pullout plan. He said the legislation would not bring peace and instead was a plan to take control of Iraqi oil.

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