EUGENE, Ore. (AP) -- The raucous tone of the Democratic race for the U.S. Senate nomination was in high form Friday at a debate hosted by the Eugene City Club, with the two leading candidates locking horns over everything from Social Security to the war in Iraq.

Oregon House Speaker Jeff Merkley and Portland lawyer and activist Steve Novick are vying to take on Republican U.S. Senator Gordon Smith, a two-term incumbent with no primary opponent.

Merkley portrayed himself as a leader with concrete legislative accomplishments.

Novick stressed his support for a plan backed by Barack Obama to eliminate the cap on Social Security taxes that now kicks when wages reach $97,000 a year.

Merkly said Social Security is solvent through 2041 and that no change is needed, and chided Novick for what he said was taking the Republican bait on the issue.

Both said they would favor initiating impeachment proceedings against President Bush.