Underdog Democratic congressional candidate Chad Kluko called last night for the incremental withdrawal of U.S. soldiers from Iraq until everybody is home.

He said America's presence there is creating more terrorists and draining the U.S. treasury, so he favors "defined time lines" to pull out of Iraq.

His better-financed, better-known opponent, Republican Rep. Tim Murphy, said he would never support removal of some U.S. soldiers while others are left to fight.

"I will not pull the rug out from under our troops while they are still there," Mr. Murphy said.

The candidates' exchange about the war highlighted their debate in Cecil, Washington County. The event, sponsored by the League of Women Voters, drew about 120 people on a chilly night when the World Series was on television.

Mr. Kluko, 45, called the war a "misguided action." He said it is costing U.S. taxpayers $8 billion a month, contributing to a spiraling federal deficit of more than $8 trillion.

In response, Mr. Murphy, 54, said announced withdrawals of U.S. servicemen would only assist terrorists, not America. He called his challenger's plan unwise, likening it to a family that tells everybody of its vacation plans, thereby making it easier for burglars to strike.

Mr. Murphy, a two-term incumbent, and Mr. Kluko are competing in the 18th District, which covers most of southern Allegheny County and large sections of Washington and Westmoreland counties.

Throughout the debate, Mr. Kluko criticized Mr. Murphy and the Republican-controlled Congress, saying they have not performed in the public interest and are out of touch with ordinary people.

Mr. Kluko said he would vote to increase the minimum wage, and he offered a plan to wean America from dependence on foreign oil. It would limit U.S. gasoline consumption to the amount produced domestically, effective in 10 years.

Hearing this, Mr. Murphy pounced. He said he was astonished that Mr. Kluko would call for gas rationing, a strategy that would only harm U.S. businesses. Mr. Murphy also said the challenger's plan was curious, as Mr. Kluko opposes drilling in Alaska, the Rocky Mountains or other untapped areas where oil might be drawn.

Mr. Murphy said he favors new domestic drilling, coupled with conservation through better highways and more mass transit.

As for the contention that he is out of step with ordinary people, Mr. Murphy, a psychologist, retold a story of holding a cocaine-addicted baby in a hospital. That moment, he said, motivated him to serve in public office, first in the state Senate and then in the U.S. House.

Mr. Murphy ended the night with a hard jab at Mr. Kluko. He pointed out that Mr. Kluko had not paid the property taxes on his Monroeville home in timely fashion for the last three years.

"He wants to raise taxes, but he doesn't pay his on time," said Mr. Murphy, of Upper St. Clair.

The congressman also said Mr. Kluko had failed to file a required federal statement on his holdings. In reply, Mr. Kluko said he turned in the form in February, soon after he decided to run for Congress.

Afterward, Mr. Murphy said the document seemed to be missing, but his staff would look for it again today.