CHARLESTON, S.C. – Internet-savvy voters challenged Democratic presidential hopefuls on Iraq, the military draft and the candidates’ own place in a broken political system, playing starring roles in a video-driven debate Monday night.

A voter named Chris opened the CNN-YouTube debate at the military college of The Citadel with a barb aimed at the entire eight-candidate field: “Can you as politicians … actually answer questions rather than beat around the bush?”

The answer was a qualified yes. The candidates faced a slew of blunt questions – from earnest to the ridiculous – and, in many cases, responded in kind.

To Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois: Are you black enough? “You know, when I’m catching a cab in Manhattan … I’m giving my credentials,” he replied.

To Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York: Are you feminine enough? “I couldn’t run as anything other than a woman,” she said.

Her answer drew a challenge from former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina, who said he was the best advocate for women on the debate stage. “I have the strongest, boldest ideas,” he said.

The debate featured questions submitted to the online video community YouTube and screened by the cable news network. Videos included a talking snowman, two rednecks and a woman speaking from her bathroom.

A voter asked whether the candidates would serve four years at $5.85 an hour rather than the president’s annual $400,000 salary.

“Sure,” replied Clinton. Obama said the group could afford to do so.

Asked if Democrats are playing politics with the war, Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio said yes. “The Democrats have failed the people,” he said.

Former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel said U.S. soldiers are dying in vain. No other candidate would go that far.

Obama took the opportunity to take a slap at his rivals who voted to give Bush authority to invade Iraq, including Clinton and Edwards. “The time to ask how we’re going to get out of Iraq was before we got in,” he said, without naming Clinton, Edwards and other foes.

Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico said he’s the only candidate pledging to remove troops within six months. Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware said Richardson’s goal was unrealistic.

Sensing her position was under attack, Clinton bristled as she argued that U.S. troops must be removed from Iraq “safely and orderly and carefully.”

Obama said he would be willing to meet individually with the leaders of Iran, Syria, Venezuela, Cuba and North Korea during the first year of his presidency. “The notion that somehow not talking to countries is punishment to them, which has been the guiding diplomatic principle of this administration, is ridiculous,” Obama said to applause.

Clinton immediately disagreed and said she would send envoys first to find out their intentions. “I don’t want to be used for propaganda purposes,” she said.

On another foreign policy topic, Biden said he would send 2,500 U.S. troops to Darfur to try to end the civil war there. It took three tries to get Clinton to answer the same questions. She finally said U.S. ground troops don’t belong in the fight because they are overextended in Iraq.

The opening question challenged Democrats to do better than the failed leadership in Congress and the White House. “How are you going to be any different?” the voter asked.

Obama, a freshmen lawmaker trying to appeal to the public’s thirst for change, replied, “One of the things I bring is a perspective … that says Washington has to change.”

Clinton claimed she has a 35-year-record as an agent of change. “The issue is which one of us will be ready from day one.”