Democratic presidential hopefuls flashed their anti-war credentials on Thursday night, heaping criticism on President Bush’s Iraq policy in the first debate of the 2008 campaign.

“The first day I would get us out of Iraq by diplomacy,” said New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, one of eight rivals on the debate stage.

“If this president does not get us out of Iraq, when I am president, I will,” pledged Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York.

But Clinton found herself on the receiving end of criticism moments later when former North Carolina Senator John Edwards said she or anyone else who voted to authorise the war should “search their conscience.”

Edwards, in the Senate at the time, also cast his vote for the invasion, but he has since apologised for it.

Of the eight foes participating in the debate at South Carolina State University, four voted earlier in the day to support legislation that cleared Congress and requires the beginning of a troop withdrawal by October 1. The legislation sets a goal of a complete withdrawal by April 1, 2008.

“We are one signature away from ending this war,” said Senator Barack Obama, Democrat (Illinois). He said if Bush won’t change his mind about vetoing the bill, Democrats need to work on rounding up enough Republican votes to override him.

In addition to Obama and Clinton, Senators Joe Biden of Delaware and Chris Dodd of Connecticut also cast votes in favour of the legislation.

Former Alaska Senator Mike Gravel and Representative Dennis Kucinich of Ohio also participated in the debate, lesser-funded contenders who seemed most eager to challenge their rivals.

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