Change is around the corner.
I can feel it.

OBAMA 08

The last time a call for service went out was when John F. Kennedy enjoined us to "ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country". Forget all the "experience" issues. They are a red herring. If you want to know why Senator Obama is a once in a generation leader, you need look no farther than his call to service.

I am happy and proud to support Senator Obama.

YES WE CAN!!!

@Young Voter from TX July 2nd, 2008 12:01 pm ET

Oh so he's going to expand the armed forces. Is he going to make his daughter sign up? Nope. Oh well, the McCain kids beat them to it; they are the true Americans who serve their country.

MCCAIN 08

____
Tisk, Tisk child did you read the article or understand what he is even talking about. The service is.. say it with me volunteer! Meaning you don't have to do it. Besides his girls are like 8 and 10. Did McCain's daughter sign up for the armed forces…nope, and you know why follow me now…u volunteer! The whole point would be that you don't have to join the armed forces to be considered a "true American" as you stated, it can be done in a variety of other ways of public serivce.

Hints of communism? And if I already work to hard, pay to much in tax, and just want to rest on my time off and spend time with my family, what are going to do? Force me! Welcome to the new and improved USSA!

National Service? No No!! We need those people for McBush and his upcoming invasion of Iran!

Hearing someone from Texas (C from Texas) talk about the draft is hysterical.

As they said in the TV show The West Wing - this guy is the REAL DEAL. I am sooooo impressed. Please get us to November in a hurry before Bush gets us into another boondoggle in Iran.
OBAMA 08

400 million rather Rush just got paid

I TOLD YOU , I TOLD YOU…

no matter WHAT the man proposes, he will be attacked!

IT IS ALL THEY HAVE!!!

GEEZ CNN…. why have I been banned while you post lies from Lim, jeff spangler and peter e. ?????

"Don't cha just love Socialism?!?!?"

Actually, yes. If people would forget the foolish stigma that socialism is bad, maybe our country wouldn't be such a disgrace. Maybe citizens would actually (gasp!) do something to make things better in their own neighborhoods.

I think this is wonderful, and Obama will be an amazing president that WE can ALL be proud of.

Hey better than people sitting around the house all day listening to Rush Limbaugh pushing hate making $400 from Clear Channel's fascist agenda

The President is the Chief Executive … the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) … of a business enterprise known as the United States of America. Directing the various operating units of this “company” is what the job requires.

While the reference to “Commander-in-Chief”, particularly at a time when there is a military conflict underway, gives rise to an important aspect of the job, it is not the majority of the job and it does not necessarily require the majority of the President’s intellectual brainpower. Qualification for the job has little to do with whether or not someone enlisted in the service or was captured and held as a prisoner. Being an excellent president has little to do with any knowledge of current military doctrine & tactics or knowledge of the capabilities of the latest weapon systems. The president hires very capable functional directors for those roles.

What we want the President to be the “Commander “ of is the VISION for our country, the STRATEGY to achieve the Vision, and the JUDGEMENT and FLEXIBILITY to make the right decisions when the strategy needs to be adjusted. We are not so arrogant to think we will get the Strategy right all the time.

More than anything, we want a President that will be a good executive MANAGER. The best corporate managers are most effective when they build high performing TEAMS.

You've got America on the right track Barack.

Justwannaknow July 2nd, 2008 12:12 pm ET

I just want to know …… where are McCain's iniitiatives? More specifically what is his vision of and for America ?

I don't have time to answer that one, would just take to long. go any other place than cnn. cnn is an obama only site. they only post good about Obama and bad about McCain.

aware said:
July 2nd, 2008 12:01 pm ET

Talk is cheap - Obama's trillion dollar deficit is not!
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

OBAMA is not president….. YET….

you MUST mean BUSH and McBUSH's trillion dollar deficit, right?

p.s. Didn't Bush inherit a SURPLUS?????

What's the catch, BO? This means that you think the president owns Americans and can use WHAT to "call them to service": IRS?

Could you tell us something about the Obama special mortgage rate story?

Chuck said:
July 2nd, 2008 12:54 pm ET

Don't cha just love Socialism?!?!?
_ _ __ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ ___ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Chuck,

1) Who's a socialist? and

2) So how are YOU doing in the worst economy since the depression?

First time since JFK anyone has really tried to inspire Americans to act on something bigger than themselves. Where is McCain's call to our youth and retirees alike??

Your comment is awaiting moderation.
Didn't Bush come up with something similar in the days following 911? Does this guy have an original idea of his own??? He steals from everybody!!! The reason why his political stance is so similar to Hillary's is because every time at the debates when he was asked for what his views were, AFTER Hillary answered what hers are, he said his were similar to hers/shared the same views. Wake up folks. This guy steals from everybody. Didn't he give a speech with lines lifted from somebody else's speech. His faith based incentives are the same as what Bush proposed. Nobama noway!!!!!

Excellent news! It's about time we put some of these "what's in it for me" dimocrats to work. Then we can collect taxes from them for a change. Ha!

Joshua: How is serving your country and in the process learning more about it socialist??

12 comments so far and no one has mentioned that Bush Sr. had the same ideas as did Bill Clinton. People don't usually volunteer in large numbers to help those that are too lazy to help themselves.

Wow! And making that speech in Colorado's Republican stronghold and James Dobson's stomping grounds…

Sorry to sound like a shouting zealot, but if all the anti-Obama folks want to question his patriotism and the substance of his campaign, how's THAT for patriotism and substance?! UNH. Yeah. Etcetera.

Aww, Jamaal, all your going to have left after this election is this ecumenical goo you are wallowing in. Find a Republican. He can explain the words to you.

Just reading these words makes me proud. This is the call to service that people should respect, not wearing a flag pin on your lapel.

I was a "candy stripper" at 14 in our local hospital and it set my goals for the rest of my life. Alot of great volunteering and helping people. I'm in my 60's, work a full time job and still do a little service at my church. Love it!!! I also had sooo many friends that went in the peace corp–One of the greatest thing for our country's image ever invented. We need a strong military, but we need PEACE and CARING! Great job Obama!!!!!

Obama is awesome!!!!!

Obama 08

My only hope is that he gets elected President. No matter who gets elected in 08, the American people are in for a rough 4 years. Obama offers us hope for the long term while McSame offers us four more years of the past.- -which translates into even more problems for the future.

Finally! Someone who sees the need for Americans to get involved in their country again. Bush squandered this opportunity after 9/11. We were willing to do something, anything, but he sent us adrift where we lost focus on what really matters. People are surprised by Obamamania? Not me, he is just doing the job Bush should have done eight years ago.

Barack HUSSEIN Obama you are a lying arrogant snake.

You would make a lousy President.

You are a Dreamer!!!

You are going to wave your magic wand??? Yea Right!

This guy is a slick talking, Rico-suave typical politician. He is untested, unproven and epitomizes the idea of what politicians are in the minds of people.

Say anything, do what they like, and above all, don't pay too much attention to what I do. And by the way, what I said 3 or 9 months ago - well things have changed and it is the Republicans fault. I have to break my prmise because they are bad.

I see a Bill Clinton here. How ironic is that? Prediction: the womanizing will surface in sometime in the future.

I supported Hillary, and was trying to get behind Obama for the sake of the party, but I have LESS confidence in Obama the more I see him in action — he is really blowing it with his flip-flop / finger to the wind approach to politics.

At this point, I don't know what Obama stands for — other than trying to get HIMSELF elected. In contrast, 4 years of McCain doesn't look so bad. I mean at least McCain appears to be a MAN of principle and character!

Obama is an idiot. You NObamanots better wake up before you ruin America!!!!!!

i hate when ive got to something to say and then comments become closed for certain articles. i will say it here about the japanese ad.
the japanese ad folks didnt know that it would be considered racist…YEA RIGHT !!!
Just like obama didnt know tbout the bad, offensive and racist and anti america stuff that rev wright was saying for 20 years. if you go back in all of obamas speeches you will hear the exact opposite of what he is saying today. its okay to befriend chris rock and "like" him regardless of the fgact that he talks very bad about white folks but obama would have imus fired for calling girls names. he wants guns he doesnt wnat guns hes for abortion if his daughter gets pregmant but values human life? his state has more nuclear plants than any other but he is anti nuclear power, he wants gas price to go up but at a "gradual pace" and not suddenly. im just waiting for the rev obama to sart telling this country what his view of christianity is because thats what we will all have to follow if he becomes the president and if you ever want to make more of yourself than you already are than you can bet that obama will find a way to tax it. the man has NO original ideas or thoughts. he cherry picks from the clinto playbook and even presdient bush, adds a little to it then tells his followers that this is the way. the man is a nobody, certainly not MLK or JFK. his friends (wright, ayers, rezco) are his friends for a reason…they ALL SHARE the same ideals. so if you dont know onbama, look at his friends and they will define him.

Wow! A Presidential candidate I can really feel good about. This man makes me want to be a better citizen and serve my country.

This guy is great.
But, where are all of the detractors?
Where are those stupid neo-cons?
What happened to the bitter Hillary voter that was going to vote for McCain because their candidate didn't win?
Did they wake up and realize they nor their children would get universal healthcare with him?
Did they remember what Hillary was running for?

Why hasn't Obama yet agreed to a debate with McCain?

Is it because in 2004 there were no debates until after the respective party conventions, with the first presidential debate being held in September?

Is it because both nominees are still the "presumptive" nominees of their respective parties?

Actually, that's probably it. In fact (and I know this will break the heart of McCain supporters just looking for something, anything, on which to attack Obama) the last two presidential elections only had 4 debates each. There were 3 presidential debates and 1 vice presidential debate. In 2000, the first debate was on October 3rd, and they were all wrapped up by October 17th. In 2004, the first debate was on September 30th. In 1996, there were only 2 debates, both in October.

In fact, in the entire history of televised presidential debates (going back to Kennedy versus Nixon in 1960), there has never been a presidential debate earlier then September 23rd.

So why do so many screeching strident McCain supporters want to have debates earlier? Why do they want to fill the months between now and november with an endless series of monotonous debates? Oh, that's right, it's because McCain has no money and needs the free publicity and the free airtime.

Aw, too bad.

Mr President, this is a Fist-Bumper.

Obama 08/12

Sounds like he wants to spend more money on social programs that will make some people happy to get votes from them. voluntary service to our country is a good thing. Most people will not volunteer to do any thing unless there is something in it for them. But to start these things going takes money and taxing the so called rich to fund them seems to be real popular with people that are not . Back in the late 70's and early 80's taxing the rich was real popular as well. The only problem was at a 60 percent plus tax rate that made it very hard for rich people to make any money at their business. Instead of continuing to push their business they took their money and put it somewhere else like banks and other investments. They closed their companies down and layed off their workers.Around here there were empty buildings everywhere and jobs were scarse. I do not want to go back to that. People with lots of money are going to protect their capital and not worry a lot about you. Remember you work for these people and you want to be paid too.

Hello all

Good for Obama. Here is what I think about his VP pick.

Hello all

Here are some more political points.

Nancy Pelosi was 68 years old in March. If she serves 8 years as VP she will be 76.
That is usually thought of as too old to run for President so this leaves open the possibility for Clinton to run 8 years from now when she will be 68/69.

Kathleen Sebelius was born in May of 1948. She is 60 years old and only about one years difference from Clinton in 8 years. The Clintons (who are still powerful) do not want to run against a sitting Democratic Vice President. They will try to posion the well if Obama picks someone as young as Sebelius and Obama should know that.

The third factor is the Obama does not want Hillary and Bill on the ticket and in his hair for 8 years, but he needs a woman and a Roman Catholic (who happens to be an Aries Sun)

Gene Ray
Back to top

Obama is very Presidental !!!
Barack the Vote

I think the operative word here is "ambitious". That pretty much sums up Mr. Change who overnight has become an expert on everything. That alone should give the nation pause. Gender bias has given voice to this smiley faced neophyte while silencing Hillary Clinton's voice as soon as she said she had found it. Reject the Flipity-Flop Boys, McCain & Obama. Join Write-In's for Hillary and print her name as your candidate of choice on the November ballot. Restore Hillary's place in history and put a leader in the White House.

I don't see how all the haters (a.k.a. republicans) could possibly spin this as a bad thing, but I'm sure I'll find out.

To be very honest, both Barack and McCain have released a number of ideas for the coming years. I think that Barack's ideas show more of a bottom up approach which will help all while John's ideas are more of a trickle down which help the elite few and may eventually work its way down to the rest of us.

Iowa is Blue for Obama, We Love you here, go ahead and put it in books. Its not even going to be close.

Barack Obama is going to be an outstanding, history making President. All segments of our society will benefit from his proposed programs. I'm proud to be one of the older generation voters supporting him!!

Poor Angus! Still clinging to that less-than 30% group that loves Bush. Obama will bring us together, even pitiful Angus!
Eric Hussein Miami

This is the definition of leadership. Being out front and making a bold stand to benefit all of the people of this country not just the ones you like or voted for you or your party.

Wouldn't it be great if volunteer service were to be rewarded through tax incentives. How to prove time served — well that would be difficult. But if one volunteers time, they would be most appreciative of some token of a tax credit. And it would be a wonderful way to increase volunteerism—even if the motivating force might be less than ideal.

He will need Americans to really volunteer for national service, as the rest of his policies will throw this nation into a 1930's style depression.

This man is a lunatic.

I have personally felt for many years that every American should be required to serve the country for at least two years right out of high school, preferably in the military. Something similar to the requirements in Israel. It just makes sense to me.

After that two years, they can go on to college or whatever, but national service of some kind should be required and every American child should be proud and happy to offer up that kind of service to the country that provides them with so many opportunities.

I can see his "vision". It's bad for the US if he is not the next persident. Go Obama '08!!!!

Typical Obama tall talk with no specifics. How do you expand? Yes we can!

Well spoken, Senator Obama. You have my 100% support. Yes We Can!!

So Important. So needed. Wonderful how he gathers us for the good. Can't wait to see the Obama family in the White House!

Obama '08 !

Next week he'll be against it.

To paraphase a former VP candidate: We know JFK and you ain't no JFK…

The DNC and Obama campaign really believe that they have a nice package of empty suites and hot air.

And if you do not serve, I will take your life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.

I am ready and willing to serve my country and my community through volunteering my services. Not just because he wants us to but because that is the fabric upon which this great country was built. It's a showing of brotherlylove and without it we would never get things done.

Obama the humanitarian for President

Oh great! Now he's gonna re-invent the wheel and they'll try to give him credit for that. Well guess what folks…..citizens in the real world have been volunteering in their communities for years in many many areas. They do so to help shore up specialize duties so those trained professionals can spend more time doing what they need to do for their communities and our country. Its a good and wonderful thing when people care, but this isn't revolutionary like Obama and some would have us believe. Many of us have do it simply because we care for our country and have since long before Barrack Obama was just a glitter in his Daddy's eye!

Barack will be the greatest President.

go ahead barack,you are doing just fine.

This guy is sounding more and more like Lenin and Marx

This man and his ugly hateful wife have stained the life blood of the democratic party.

Race baiting and labeling all their detractors as racist.

Lying and trashing, mocking and jeering, demeaning and denigrating the other candidate of your own party.

Inspiring your cult followers into vile, vulgar nasty insults and attacks against other democrats.

Threatening to stay home and black out the vote if He was not the eventual party nominee.

I guess that is the way of the NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

That is why millions of life long democrats like myself were forced to defect from the party we once loved and were loyal to.

You do not win by cheating. You do not advance yourself by destroying the other democratic candidate. You do not achieve unity by division. You do not inspire hope by waging insults and hate.

This is so refreshing. What did bush do ask americans to do just go shoping. Obama shows great leadership and we have not had any for the last 8 years……..

BARACK THE VOTE!!!!!!

BARACK SEBELIUS 08

Call to patriotism and national service. Sorry Senator Obama, wearing a flag pin and other symbols does not make one a patriot.

Maybe teaching your family to be proud of America would be the best start. You can't fool all the the people all of the time. Your actions speak louder than your words, words, words!

Democrats for McCain!

Nice try..you have no clue what your Doing.

The people who voted for this nut will be sorry come Novemeber when he lost. You should have voted for HIllary!!

Barack, please explain why you support exempting the telecom companies from giving out private information, now. During the primaries you said you would oppose this, and even filibuster against it, and now [as of this week] you say you will vote for it. What's this about change "you can believe in"? You are flip-flopping all over the place nowadays, who is going to trust your word… not me. "Public finance? Oh no, I don't support that anymore, I am the nominee now"… give me a break. Time for the Obama supporters [who never even had heard of him before December] to see his true colors. A typical and traditional politician, that's what he is.

Even former VP Dan Quayle can't spell POTATO, but he can sure read the writing on the wall (Daniel 5:5)

This is what we need. Not only Americans will respond to Obama's clarion call. The entire world will rally behind him. Obama will give a positive face to America once again. Then it will be good riddance to fist thumping and cowboy posturing. An Obama presidency will be the greatest public relations coup that any nation will have pulled in the world. Way to go Obama! God bless America and God bless America and God bless America . . . !

I am already serving considering all the taxes I pay… Obama lives in lalaland…

"takes aim at the Bush administration's for failing to take advantage of the post-9/11 opportunity to call the nation to service."

You know, I'm by no means a Bush supporter, but I have to say that he DID do this, on some level. Bush spoke at my university commencement ceremony and his entire speech was about service on all levels of society.

It's an important thing for communities around the nation, and I praise Obama for addressing it, too, since it's been forgotten by so many.

Ah, already thought of and implemented decades ago. It was called VISTA and it's overseas counterpart was and still is the Peace Corps created by JFK. But your Holiness, the populace who support you think this is an original idea that you came up with and that's all that matters. I won't tell them who you plagiarized the idea from. May your un-original Word continue to spread throughout the lands. Presidential; gag!!

go ahaed barrack,you are doing just ffine.

This is the sad saga of the democratic primary:The Country is in a really bad way: unpopular president, anti-republican sentiment, lack of health care, a sinking economy, an unpopular war.

This is a prime time for the democrats to retake the white house.

Any democrat can win against any Republican- especially old and feeble McCain with luke warm backing from his own party.

A sure win for the Democrats.

So… lets trash, bash the best Democratic Candidate out of the running. Lets strong-arm and threaten our way to a lead. Let's paint both Clintons and all their supporters as racist. Lets lie, cheat and steal the nomination. Let's demand the superdelegates pick ME, Obama the great as the nominee.

After all… a democratic victory this year is a given- a sure thing. So Even I, with no experience, no qualifications, no service to my country, no fixed positions on anything, a gift of gab, a smooth way of flip-flopping, and a nice smile- can take back the white house JUST BECAUSE I AM THE ONLY DEMOCRAT LEFT STANDING- after my hideous ,ugly, divisive campaign of hate.

It feels great to be on a winning team. Now if Congress would just get their act together.

Obama 08

I am so glad to hear him talk about the wasted opportunity after 9/11. It was a pivotal moment none of us will forget, and our "leader" told us to "go the Disney World" That was when I knew we were in for even worse trouble than I'd thought.

We have to change our mindset! We face many complicated challenges and each of us needs to do our part. Give us the ideas. Challenge us. We are Americans, and that means much more than capitalism and war.

It also means more than writing a check.

I wonder if Joe Liberman is the one that is going to launches the new terror attack. Please stop scaring people for political reason. America, it is not true no terror attack in 2009. If there is one Joe Lieberman and the Republican Party is behind it.

Hopefully, in Nov, the votes will count- and not speeches, not hype, not self-promotion, not boastfulness, not slick campaigning, not the strategy of hate against fellow democrats, and not race-card playing.

Here is to the inprobable, inconceivable and unlikely LOSS for the democrats this Nov.

Who thinks they can win by installing their least known, least tested, least qualified, most radical, internet wiz candidate who skillfully divided his own party by playing the race card?

He's getting this straight out of McCain's playbook. However good ideas are good ideas and I am glad Obama is pushing this as well. It's funny b/c what made McCain so popular with young, independent voters in 2000 (he was the Obama of that election) was his call for national service. I wish all the young voters who are so overwhelmingly for Obama would take a second look at McCain. The man has stood for bi-partisanship his whole career, and many of the attributed that we like about Obama, McCain exhimphlifies and then some.

I'm a supporter. This is what is needed - real partnership with government and teh communities. Not stating that government is going to fix everything, but getting communites together to invest in themselves.

Now 900+ comments on fist bumping…

Islamic extremists want to destroy the west…

The north pole may be free of ice for the first time in recorded history…

Energy prices are skyrocketing…

American schools are falling behind other industrialized nations…

…And Obama's big plan is to expand the Peace Corps and "engage disadvantaged young people".

The history making:

For the first time, Millions of democrats CAN NOT and WILL NOT vote for the nominee of their own party.

For the first time in decades or a lifetime of voting, democrats will defect from their own party.

Ironically in a year where THAT should be inconceivable.

Just because the least qualified and the most dangerous, the least trusted,and the most radical, the least accomplished and inexperienced DEMOCRATIC candidate was chosen, selected and installed by celebrities, the media and the DNC. OVER the will and the votes of the majority of the democratic party base.

Wow! who'd have thunk it possible. Stage a coup and install a left wing socialist dictator JUST because America is ripe for the takeover.

By the way, I don't need "training." Just send me where you need me, LOL!!

Great ideas–I don't think anyone can find fault with this, regardless of who you support.

What a crock! What service did this callow young fellow ever perform?

No really, so he will say " "We were ready to step into the strong current of history, and to answer a new call for our country. But the call never came,"? SO now we are supposed to just sit back and wait to be asked for our support? I'm sorry, but I picked up the phone and donated $ without being asked, then I started collecting items for our church so that we could send it to the firefighters and police who were searching the rubble. That is the problem with LIBS you always a reason, or excuse, for not doing something that you should of been doing in the first place!!!!

Give me a break Obama!!!

Can we get more socialistic than this man?

The government is not our parents. We don't need it to tell us what to do, when to do it, and how it can be done. Freedom is the American way, not strict regulations that "make" everyone equal by putting us all at the lowest common denominator.

Obama is absolutely correct and we as Americans need to reevaluate ourselves and what the future looks like for our beloved children. How did we allow George W. Bush, in eight years, destroy everything we have worked for. How can we allow John McCain to continue Bush's destruction, it doesn't make sense.

a politician challenging a Americans to serve each other

Hindsight is 20/20……………………………………..It takes a "visionary" to see, far into. the future………..and as we all know; that can be very dangerous, as well as costly…………… (politically, incorrect)……………..Just ask, G.W. Bush

For those who think it's a choice between inspiration and action, here's your answer. Americans will do great things when given the opportunity to focus their energies.

Wow!!!!!! Another idea stolen from Bill Clinton. Notice how the race is getting tighter the more Obama speaks. running to the center won't save him or the party.This man has no shame. He will say anything, steal anything and throw anyone under his "no longer useful" bus. Wake up Dems. You are giving this election to the Republicans.

God don't like UGLY….

Apparently millions of regular lifelong democrats don't either.

The price to pay for installing an unfit nominee over the BEST candidate the party had to offer….. a loss in NOV? A divided party for years?

There are consequences for every deed. Obama, his campaign, his celebrity followers, his adoring cult worshippers, the biased media- all played a role in destroying our democratic principles and ideals this year. There will be consequences for swaying, fixing the primary.

I find it hypocritical for Obama to talk about service to others.

He helped the slumlords get rich while his poor constituents
suffered in deplorable conditions.

This guy does have a vision - and it seems to be a great one!

He sounds s presidential. He will be one of our best visionnary president that America has ever seen.
OBAMA 08

All who have served and are currently serving in Iraq will be honored. For people to say that if we pull out of Iraq, that they will no longer be honored is absurd. I support the troops in that I don't want anymore to die for such a questionable cause. Osama Bin Laden will probably die of natural causes at this point.

N better time than now for an unqualified candidate with no experience and no mandate to take over the white house.

That was the thinking of the left wingers when they demanded that Obama be installed as nominee-

That was the fuel behind the Hillary hate and the raping of HRC just to advance the weak and suspicious candidate, Obama.

No one knows him, he has not built up any track record for us to trust. He changes his positions daily, he acts cocky and boastful just like Bush, wears his faith on his sleeve just like Bush, will say or do anything just to win. Ran a sleazy, race-baiting, hateful campaign of destroy the other candidate of your own party.

But heck, the Nation is a mess, so lets just vote for Obama ANYway.

You all created a Nov loss for the democrats in a year when that should have been impossible.

Dirty politics backfire in the end.

The Democratic party will suffer for decades from this travesty of justice.

Even when Obama states "plans"–they are very vague.

They are more like wishful thinking.

He doesn't get into specifics or tell HOW exactly he will accomplish these "goals."

Obama just says things that "sound good."

Do I trust Obama to get the job done? No.

He has NO legislative accomplishments. He is a talker not a do-er.

Where do I sign up?

What's next?? The Obama Youth organization?? By attending your church for twenty plus years Obama you have been a part of providing acceptance of America and racial bigotry! Do not preach anything to me you fool!

Didn't Bush come up with something similar in the days following 911? Does this guy have an original idea of his own??? He steals from everybody!!! The reason why his political stance is so similar to Hillary's is because every time at the debates when he was asked for what his views were, AFTER Hillary answered what hers are, he said his were similar to hers/shared the same views. Wake up folks. This guy steals from everybody. Didn't he give a speech with lines lifted from somebody else's speech. His faith based incentives are the same as what Bush proposed. Nobama noway!!!!!

Don't cha just love Socialism?!?!?

Obama will make on on great president i am so going to vote for him.

Yes we can, mr president.

All your bases is belonging to us. Plese someone can show me the computer to make Iran go boom-boom.

The republicans must be getting desperate. They are down to their light weight politicians (J McCain & M Romney). These are politicians that could never get elected in any other election year. They are usually the losers in the primaries.

No republican can win this year.
No Democrat can lose this year.
Nation is a mess. We all want change.
The economy sucks, people can't afford health care, we die and kill in Iraq.

Still the DNC- with the help of the media and celebrities- decided they could win by installing their weakest, most questionable, most left wing, least qualified, least known, untested and untrusted Candidate.

A field of highly qualified democratic choices- the BEST candidate, Hillary EVER to lead this nation out of the abyss of decay.

BUT NO!!!!! We have to feel good and push the African American and trash, bash, destroy the female candidate.

And feel gleeful and happy to do so…. after all what better time than THIS election… when ANY democrat, no matter how unworthy of the office of president… can win.

I hope Obama loses and the party and the hateful Obama supporters learn the lesson of democracy and fair politics.

If there is ever an example of someone looking out for the "little guy" in small businesses, in substandard communities, people suffering from poverty and unemployment opportunities, it is OBAMA.

For the first time in my life…. i feel like I would serve in a United States Army…. but I cant cuz I am a felon… but lord knows, If I had known that Barack Obama would be president, I would've never messed that up for myself. But I am sure there are ready to serve in the army with Barack Obama as Commander In Chief.

Obama/Clinton 08

Wow- how original- "Thousand points of light" ring a bell? BO is now stealing from George HW Bush. Change must refer to changing the name of an idea and claiming it new.

McCain 08
Substance trumps Hype

Obama is perfectly on point with this idea!

Go Obama

So he is going to make jobs for people that get there student loans and whatever paid for and then he is having them do community service . he mentioned this in the primary, sounds like national guarde service for a education..We already jave that but no ine joins cause they dont want to go to Iraq……..this looks like a backdoor scam to me. In the past in MN we tried to get welfare resept to work for there cash and surprisingly many where aginst it and complained . good for him lets see if and how he does it but I would advise all to really listen to what he has planned. Communism gives you a job also.

Obama has actual plans and policies that will help fix this country's broken government. Every time he makes a speech about how he is going to go about making things better he becomes more and more clearly the appropriate nominee for this country. Keep it up, senator. After reading the current New York Times article on job loss, we need you more than ever.

Obama 08 - For the good of the nation.

Picking up where McCain left off in 2000.
Thank you Barack.

Serve???

Wonder how many of you democrats are going to be so happy when he re-instates the DRAFT?

Read between the lines folks this guy is bad news.

McCain '08

Sounds like Barrack is going to throw down the challenge just like JFK did in his speech. "Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country."

Not since the 80's and "Gordon Gecko's , Greed is Good" motto has someone started looking at what that has done to this country. It is not about what "WE" can get but what "WE" give to others that matters.

I hope Barrack is the leader that can lead us out of the darkness and fear and into the light of helping and giving to others.

That program will give graduates a chance to earn some real experience in the workplace and pay down loans at the same time, Common sense is pretty common with this Guy Obama,

Obama 08

This is one of the distinguishing factors between Obama and McCain. Obama demonstrates stronger leadership with continued committment to involve the American people in his change efforts.

it's certainly a good thing to see someone speaking on the real issues.obama has been the most consistent candidate for pres,that i've seen ,in my lifetime.it's sad that republicans will be fomenting racial hatred,and bigotry, to try and win this election.oh well,mccain will never last 4 years,as the stresses of the presidency will be too much for the old guy to handle,and then we can all be thrilled to death ,at having mitt as president.

The Country is in a really bad way: unpopular president, anti-republican sentiment, lack of health care, a sinking economy, an unpopular war.

This is a prime time for the democrats to retake the white house.

Any democrat can win against any Republican- especially old and feeble McCain with luke warm backing from his own party.

A sure win for the Democrats.

So… lets trash, bash the best Democratic Candidate out of the running. Lets strong-arm and threaten our way to a lead. Let's paint both Clintons and all their supporters as racist. Lets lie, cheat and steal the nomination. Let's demand the superdelegates pick ME, Obama the great as the nominee.

After all… a democratic victory this year is a given- a sure thing. So Even I, with no experience, no qualifications, no service to my country, no fixed positions on anything, a gift of gab, a smooth way of flip-flopping, and a nice smile- can take back the white house JUST BECAUSE I AM THE ONLY DEMOCRAT LEFT STANDING- after my hideous ,ugly, divisive campaign of hate.

the first question i always have is: HOW are we gonna pay for that??

Rob from NC

One problem with the program I see outlined here is that it is still heavy on militarism. The truth is that "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness" are natural rights belonging to all on this planet, and when we finally have a foreign policy that recognizes that fact, one that requires treating people all over the world with REAL respect, then we'll no longer want or need such a heavy military presence throughout the world. I do hope the CHANGE that Senator (and hopefully President) Obama talks about will go that deep.

Good move Barack. Your idea seems reminisent of Bill's creation of Americore. You would be wise to use his arcitype, as he has been the only successful democratic president in recent history. Now all you need is to adopt Hillary's healthcare plan.

He's a fake and is just another politician pandering for votes.

Watch this service become mandatory, with the government controlling your life. Only the uneducated support Obama. That is why when you ask any of them what has he done as an elected official you only hear crickets chirping.

The only thing Obama supporters can say in their defense is "Change we can believe in", "Yes, we can". They are sheep blindly following a cult.

In their wisdom the DNC capitulated to the celebrities, the media, AAs and the youth who selected the nominee for the democratic party.

The DNC and super delegates then did THEIR part to swiftboat the best Democratic candidate and installed Obama.

So the least qualified and least electable Democratic candidate is our party nominee.

Just because the sentiment is that this year NO democrat can lose, and no Republican can win.

Then why is Obama barely leading in the polls?

You mean that all Americans will not simply vote for the big "D". You mean character, trust, the issues and who the candidate IS actually matters, after all?

You mean the type of dirty, pandering, flip-flopping, self-aggrandizing campaign of hate that Obama waged does matter after all?

People dislike the hypocritical Obama and his pandering for votes so much, that EVEN a poor choice like McCain from the republicans may actually win?

Why- even in a year when a Democratic victory is almost ensured- would the party choose (install) the least qualified, most dubious, untested DEMOCRATIC candidate of them all?

CNN were is the news about McCain saying he never said he does not know anything about the economy. please be fair and report on his flip flop. he said it this morning. lts your job to lnform us. lf it was Obama who had flip flopped something so obvious you would have been the first to report. be fair and bring it up. thank you.

A lot of people are going to love this because it sounds good. But how can a lot of people serve if they are worried about how to pay their mortgage or fill-up their cars. Mr. Obama, I know you don't have any specific plans to help the American people in need NOW, but distracting them from the important issues is very sad.

Isn't this just expanding upon ideas already put into place by Former President Clinton? How is this change? It just seems that he takes good ideas from other people and says he will expand them. How are we going to pay for these programs? What we he cut to find the money to expand these programs? These are the questions that he never seems to answer.

AS A CAMEROONIAN INTERESTED IN THIS ELECTION, FOLOWING OBAMA OVER THE NET AND TV MAKES ME LOOK AT HIM WITH ADMIRATION. AS FOR MCCAIN I WILL LIKE TO LET KNOW HIM THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO TAKE YEARS TO LEARN HOW TO DRIVE A CAR JUST BECAUSE SOMEBODY TOOK YEARS TO CONCIVE IT.

CHANGE YOU CAN BELIEVE IN. SIGN ME UP!

This is more than a campaign. It's a movement everyone can believe in. Not the same old politics!

Even republicans with good morals must agree.

I think Obama should be one of the first to join his service plan and join the Marines and go to Iraq!!

And the best part???

All these new or increased programs are funded by the american taxpayer!!

Our own modern day Robin hood…take from the wealthy (the hard working american) and give to the government!

I don't like politicians because they are all lyers but at least I see OBAMA as someboby I can trust in this 21st century to put AMERICA back on the right track compare to an old man with old mentalities.
Don't be supprise that the Media will make big deal of ANY racial (Black in America comming soon, National anthem sing by a black woman, fiss bump, some other nonsense) issues and play it over and over to try to divide us one more time and make people vote against their own economical interest. CNN you can't fool me.

More empty promises & hot air from the empty suit. Obama HAS NOT elaborated in detail on any of his plans. His only real plan is to 'say anything, do anything' just to get elected! He is the 'Pied-Piper' of America leading the uninformed into the abiss. Do you really know anything about this guy? Oh yeah, ask him who he plans to pay the 845 BILLION dollars in taxes? YOU. Get informed, goggle in: 'Obama's Global Poverty Plan'. Learn about this 'Tax' on Americans. And how he plans to give the sovereignty of America away and make us subordinate to United Nations doctrines. This is real, this is Senate Bill: S.2433. Obama has already sold the USA down the crapper. Read about it, and learn the thruth…as I did.

This idiot just can't have a big enough government. What a fool! When will the dems ever understand that there is no more poorly organized, poorly managed and poorly operated entity than the government. The less they are involved in, the better off we are.

For the complainers who want plans - here they are. Obama is more than just speeches. Say what you will about his lack of experience - the mad has the ideas AND the ambition to put them into action. He also has the support of millions of Americans. Obama stands for change, but it won't be him who causes the change - it will be all the Americans he has inspired who make things happen.

I can think of no better reason to support Obama - this IS a movement.

wow!!! A leader advocating community responsibilty and sacrifice for our nation, for something other than oil and his pocketbook! He's got my vote.

Obama has no resume, no experience, has never done anything( but deliver prepared speeches well) for his country and has absolutely no track record or qualifications for president.

That means Obama was NEVER electable.

But because this is the year when Democrats can't lose- and the out of favor Republican brand cant' WIN- Oprah, Caroline, Michael Moore, democratic celebrities, the media and the DNC all decided to eliminate the BEST Democratic Candidate (HRC) out of the race just to clear the way for Obama.

These blogs were all filled with vile, filthy, vulgar hatred of HRC and her supporters.

Everyone posted how ANY democrat could win this election and how Obama could sleep walk his way into the white house. Why? Well because the country is in such a bad way, Bush is the most unpopular president ever, The republicans are out of favor, there is a unpopular war, a trashed economy, a broken nation, AND a poor Republican Candidate.

Yet, Obama is SO bad that he may actually lose a shoe-in Election for the democrats.

Yes, yes, yes cheers for our next President…Barack Obama!
Call us to action! We need to be able to stand tall in the world arena again and the only way we can do that is to first stand tall at home. He'll make a great president . And for all of those that dis Michelle Obama…she's beautiful, intelligent, a great wife and mother and stands with her husband. You can't ask for more in a First Lady.
Change…it's gonna come

That's all I'm saying stick to the issues that matter. John McCain wants to continually talk about non issues such as his career as a military person. Great job Obama.

"Enabling more Americans to serve in the armed forces".

Some of you babies are gonna get quite a shock when you find out what that really means…….lmao!

So America is going to "volunteer and service opportunity" itself to be better? What we want is for you to relax and never mind my backpack. Please, please, please elect Mr Obama - he is our friend!

Obama mirrors the brillance and diligence of this great nation. He will jump start this great sleeping Giant. Americans will reclaim the torch of progress and hope that we have been encouraged to stiffle over the last 40 years. GO OBAMA

**********************************************

MAN OF IDEAS.

UNLIKE THE CURRENT ONE WHO MADE HIS WAY TO THE WHITE HOUSE BY LIES , DECIET, COERSION WHICH WHAT WE GOT DURING HIS TERM. THE SMIRKING BOY BUSH WITH HIS GREEDY GROUCHY SIDEKICK CHENEY. UNLESS YOU WANT A CONTINUATION OF THE DYNAMIC DOO-DOO'S POLICY WITH MCCAIN OR SEE THE LIGHT AND CHANGE.

STOP THE MADNESS. VOTE OBAMA.

National Service, is important. Everyone in America should 'work' for the government at one time in their life. This way we can remember that it is OUR government, not theirs (the rich pigs ruining it).

You have to give this Campaign credit for "Site Selection" for this speech.
Colorado Springs….at the base of Pikes Peak where the wonderful song "America" was written. "…and crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea" would seem appropriate.

Let's all come together and stop the squabbling and name calling.

Didn't Hitler do this too?? Wake up everyone. I am so sick of this guy I wish he would just go away. Kick him to the curb America, he will ruin this country. He will say and do anything to get elected but it is NOT going to work.
PUMA

That's a 6% increase in active duty military personnel. Is he planning on staying in Iraq for 100 years or just invading Iran?

A way for the everyday person to make a real impact, by expanding these programs and participating. Yes, a president CAN motivate people to get involved. And not just to speak up, but to act. *applaud*

Curious… when Bush laid out plans to expand service, whether it be community programs or military service the democrats criticized him of being a fascist. They criticized him of sticking the government's nose into every aspect of our lives.
Now that Obama lays out a plan that looks eerily similar he's being a 'leader' and 'visionary?'
Blind-sight is 0/0!

This is the Election year when NO democrat could lose.
This is the Election year when NO Republican can win.

That is why the DNC thought that EVEN Obama- with no experience, no service to country, no qualifications and with dubious connections to questionable people (Rezko, Ayers, Wright)- WOULD win.

They saw it as a golden opportunity to advance their left wing agenda, and to make history with the first African American President.

The line of reasoning was: Americans will all go to the voting booth and look for the big "D". As if the candidate did not matter at all.

It is funny ti read all of the obamabots posts that continue to support their "great leader". He spent the entire primary season. saying that Hillary was a politician that would say anything to get elected and he was different. Isn't that a laugh. He is the politician who will do anything and say anything to get elected. He is bobing and weaving so hard I'm surprised he does not sprain his back. He lied all the way through the primary season. So has John McCain. I don't trust either one of them. It is a sad commentary for America that these are the two candidates for President. I believed in Hillary. but now I don't believe in any of them. It doesn't matter who I vote for. Neither one will help the American people. They will only help themselves and big business. Obama was a hope. He no longer is. I think I'll stay home for the first time in 25 yrs and will become an independent.

When will this man learn that the American people DO NOT want the truth, they want warm and fuzzy no matter how stupid it sounds. They want a useless gas tax holiday that will not happen. They want a 300 million dollar contest that no one will enter and a purse that does not exist. They want a war that they are willing to pay for (500 billion and counting), but they are not willing to pay for a child-care program (25 million). They want to start another war in Iran that involves millions of lives, but they are not willing to pay for a war on poverty in the USA. They are will to give tax cuts worth billions of dollars to corporations that refuse to produce in the USA, but are willing to sell their goods in the USA. They are willing to support free trade of goods coming from other countries, but think it is okay for those countries to tax our goods. They are willing to vote a man in as President of the USA because he is white even though his policies will hurt us over a man whose policies will help us because he appears black.

Obama is naive because he believes that the American people are open and objective to what is right and live above fear; and reach for the full possibilities that are available for Americans.

Obama is stupid because he believes that Americans care about their future and the future for their children and nation.

Obama is plain old dumb because he gives a crap.

I could never vote for a person like him because he wants America to be better.

I am voting for the way of life that I know, no matter how bad it gets. I don't care how far we fall. All that is important to me is that that black man does not get in the Whitehouse.

The obvious question - who's going to pay for this!

As the idiotic Republican spin machine wants to discuss Iraq and Gen. Clark, the true presidential-material candidate is laying out his plans for this nation. They're so stuck on stupid that they just continue to lambast him as just giving another speech. I've got a newsflash: THE PRESIDENT COMMUNICATES WITH THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THROUGH SPEECHES!!! Go ahead Barack Hussein Obama! Do your thing and march right into the White House along with your beautiful wife and beautiful daughters come January '09. We are praying for you. Surround yourself with the right people and you will do a world of good for this nation and the world.

oh, and "enabling more Americans to serve in the military!?!" how is that an initiative. There's certainly nothing holding back recruiters from recruiting…they are struggling to maintain recruitment levels.
Does this enabling mean increasing military spending? increasing benefits such as signing. Or does it mean reducing standards to let anyone in?

I've served in the military. The only thing that a person needs to be enabled to do is go to the recruiter, not have done drugs or have a criminal record (though that too can be waived). There's nothing holding back people from serving if they want to.

Barr in '08

Here it comes the clincher. Do a meaningless service for a pitifully small amount of time to make it appear as if the government is requiring some sweat equity and a stake in all of my tax money they are giving you for just being born.

If you want a free lunch…Uncle Obama is now going to lay out the dues you have to pay to get it.

Why not eliminate the government middle man–and get your own butts in gear? It would should save us taxpayers some pain and suffering.

Obama is clearly the leader for this country. Obama is the candidate that cares about ordinary Americans and our economy. Obama will make a great president and I'm glad he's has a plan and wants to talk about the issues that Americans are concerned about unlike Mccain that doesn't want to talk about the issues. Obama 08

Well, at least he's finally talking about an issue instead of wasting our time pretending to be the victim of the world. That's an improvement…

Obama is becoming more and more like Bush:

First unqualified, no service to Country and no resume but still daring to run for president.

Then cocky, boastful, mocking and jeering of anyone who disagreed. In Obama's case he turned all that against fellow democrats- HRC, Bill and all the HRC supporters.

Then the self-impressed and full of himself commentary.

Then all the lies, hypocrisy and pandering- and empty promises of unity and change- while actually dividing the party and the people.

Then all this expanded funding for faith-based initiatives crap. There is separation of Church and state for a reason: to preserve our liberties and freedoms while securing the same for others of different religions and beliefs.

very good.

So… when Bush recruits more military personel that doesn't count as 'encouraging service.' But when Obama proposes to do that he's 'showing great leadership?'

This was a great article…until Obama and his slimy team decided the link President Bush into it. It makes no sense except to Obamabots. fyi, Bush created a 10% tax bracket for the poorest on the scale, is that a tax cut to the wealthy?

We need to stick to real issues, don't understand why the Democrats are afraid to talk about the issues.

Absolutely INCREDIBLE!!!!!

OBAMA/SEBELIUS 08!!!!!

I just want to know …… where are McCain's iniitiatives? More specifically what is his vision of and for America ?

I wish there was more motivation to get involved in my community when i was in college… There weren't even rally's like there are now… i think this sounds great

-V

And exactly who is he to criticize Bush for not encouraging people to