GREENSBORO - In the lone television debate involving the Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate, Kay Hagan looked forward to November while her rivals argued that her victory in next week's primary is far from certain.

Hagan, a state senator from Greensboro, used Tuesday's debate to repeatedly tout her experience and electability.

"I'm the one candidate with a proven record of leadership," Hagan said in her opening statement. "And I can beat Elizabeth Dole."

Hagan shared the stage with three of the four other candidates: Jim Neal, an investment banker from Chapel Hill; Howard Staley, a podiatrist from Moncure; and Marcus W. Williams, a Lumberton lawyer. A fifth candidate, Duskin C. Lassiter, a self-employed truck driver from High Point, did not attend.

Neal, who has run the most active campaign other than Hagan, attacked the state senator directly at several points. He criticized her willingness to accept campaign donations from political action committees. He argued that Congress had been too deferential to the Bush administration in recent years, and that a different kind of leadership is needed in Washington.

"Changing the culture of politics does not mean sending more politicians to Washington," he said.

Hagan refused to respond to Neal's attacks, saying she stands by her record.

"I challenge anybody to question my integrity," Hagan said.

Tuesday's debate was held on the campus of UNC-Greensboro and was moderated by a panel of students. The questions touched mostly on the economy, gas prices, health care and Iraq.

On Iraq, Hagan said she was for ending the war responsibly and not cutting off funding to the troops. She said a "diplomatic surge" is needed to get the different factions within Iraq talking to each other.

Neal said Congress needs to use its control of the purse strings to put more pressure on the administration to bring an end to the war.

On health care, Staley said he is in favor of augmenting the country's existing health system to get coverage for all Americans. He said he supports establishing a set amount of coverage and price for all residents.

Hagan said she wants to bring down health care costs by focusing on preventive medicine, better treatment of chronic diseases and by making all medical records electronic and accessible using a card.

Williams argued several times that his 17 years of experience in legal services gave him valuable experience dealing with complex problems such as health care. He also championed preventive medicine, saying more focus needs to be put on exercise and weight loss.

The most lively exchange of the evening took place at the end, when both Neal and Hagan were asked if they thought the other could beat Dole.

"I think a Democrat has a really good chance of beating Senator Dole," Hagan said after being pressed several times about Neal's chances.

Neal had no problem summing up Hagan's chances.

"I think I'm the only candidate that can beat Senator Dole," he said.

"I'm gonna win this race," Hagan responded.