(CNN) –On the anniversary of the September 11 attacks, presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama each take the stage to discuss service and civic engagement in a forum at Columbia University.
What do you think of their ideas? How does the role of service determine what kind of nation we live in? What does national service mean to you?
Along with CNN Senior Political Correspondent Candy Crowley, CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider, CNN Political Analyst Roland Martin, and Republican strategist Bay Buchanan, thousands of you weighed in.
Click "comments" below for a look at the entire conversation.
From CNN Politics
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If she's so ready to be President on Day 1–
THEN WHY DIDN'T *SHE* RUN FOR PRESIDENT?
Because when the presidential campaign started, she was governer for 1 MONTH!
Well...At least 18 MILLION people voted for BARACKuda!
Stepford VP!
I want to know why the media drop the polls that show Obama winning the military vote over McCain. I think Vets/active are being overlooked this year by John McCain. every vet I have talk to, talk about how McCain did nothing about the Vet Hospitals, Was against a better Gi Bill, and any other policy that would actually help the Veterans. I find it disturbing that McCain seems to demand the military vote because he was a POW, the fact remains is as a Senator he has not help Veterans improve anything but the suicide rate. Which is an all time High......Will McCain say that its still in our heads?
Palin got off with a super easy interview! She should be asked all the tough questions. If she lies then, she'll be done.
National Service? Here's what I think... serving your fellow human beings is one of the most morally righteous things you can do. Demanding that I serve my fellow human beings is one of the most arrogant and misguided.
Josh, I am an Obama vet. My brother told me about that poll that has Obama way up among military. Do you know a good link for it?
Bill Clinton told Obama he would win "handily" to deflect him from dumping Joe for Hilary. He wants her to be clear to run in 2012 not having been a part of the losing Obama ticket. He knows McCain is going to win easily and is very happy with that outrcome.
Anyone can be president, just check the requirements in the constitution. 1. Age 35 or over. 2. Born in the USA. 3. Can't be in the active military. That's it. What is all the fuss about qualifications? If the founders wanted more they would have spelled it out. Palin meets the requirements.
I just hope those Russian bombers down in Venezuela don't show up to the debate. If they do – all hell is going to break loose.
I wish someone would ask Sen. Obama why it was that his campaign went on and on accusing the Clintons of racism when President Clinton said "This whole thing is a fairy tale". How is the term "fairy tale" racism?
With that said, why shouldn't Senator McCain defend his VP against the Lipstick on a Pig comment seeing how she had used the lipstick and pitbull expression just the week before.
As a woman I felt offended. If Michelle had used that line in a speech and the next week McCain said the same thing Obama did...wouldn't he be asking McCain to apologize to his wife.
Thanks,
Laura, Boston
After so many years, the struggle for people of color may be ending.
In November we will change the words of the song to,
"WE HAVE OVERCAME"!
Sarah Palin wants war with Russia but I DONT
I am moving to Mexico if they win because NUKES are coming our way.. MUSHROOM CLOUDS OVER NEW YORK AND LOS ANGELES FOLKS!!!! WE MAY WIN AGAINST RUSSIA.. BUT WE WILL TAKE HEAVY, HEAVY CASUALTIES!!!! WHY SHOULD WE GO TO WAR JUST BECUASE JOHN MCCRACKCOCAIN THINKS HE IS A GEORGIAN…. I'M AN AMERICAN NOT A GEORGIAN!!! but I don't think the Russians have anything against Mexico so I am moving there.
ELECT OBAMA/BIDEN 08 OR WE CAN KISS AMERICA GOODBYE!!!
Obama, McCain meet at "Presidential Forum: Ready To Serve" Show is a great way to learn more about both candidacies. I am happy and pleased that I am not working to watch it.
Kaine Rosado
Newark – New Jersey
Obama would make a great president. The problem with his campaign is his the lack of an excellent advertising team. If they can take a tired candidate like John McCain and make him look better than a youthful, bright candidate – then that is quite a coup.
The Rove machine is a like a top-notch Madison Avenue advertising team that has a product, plans the campaign, and uses effectual advertising. Whether its "ring around the collar" or "finger licking good", these campaigns get people to buy product.
Why isn't Obama more forceful in terms of using his millions of dollars in his campaign war chest and hire two advertising teams? They can compete against each other. Better than the stale advertising that Obama has now.
I am really concerned about the media coverage of the
politicians and the the actual campaign.
You appear to be very biased toward Mccan, ignoring,
covering up all his blunders and lies. Do hope you
bring out ALL truths about Palin.
Candy, liked you until you raved about Mccain and the
so called religious debate. All the man did was pander
and campaign. Obama gave very thoughtful answers.
I still truly believe Mccain knew the questions ahead
of time.
Why, when Mccain is so very evil, like saying Obama
wants to teach sex education to kindergarten children
do you not expose and continue to expose him for
the liar he is. Since, everything negative about Obama
is talked about for days. Why isn't Palins church sermons
played, of course to be fair you have to pick the most
radical ones, over and over. Why is everything reported
about Obama started with a negative.
You people are supposed to be responsible for fair and
unbiased reporting. As it is, you are trying to sway the
election to your beliefs.
Shame on you.
There seem to have been an awful lot of edits in the Palin interview. Not to mention that even I know what the Bush Doctrine is. Maybe having been the President of my High School student council makes me eligible for the highest offices in the world!
A pig in lipstick is indeed still a pig. In like manner, you can dress up a nitwit, make him atttractive and articulate, and he is still a nitwit. Obama's remark demonstrates once again his appalling lack of judgement and his complete lack of qualification as a candidate.
I was CEO of Major Corporation for 12 years with 500,000 workers, and also CEO of another Company Of 280,000 workers for 6 years, and of course let's not forget my 6 years as Navy Officer with thousands under my Command and lets not forget my duties as Eagle Scout for 10 years.
Guess It's Time for me be a Vice president also, I Have The experience.......
KiSSJouR
IT DOESN'T SAY MUCH WHEN NUMBER TWO SPOT TELLS THE WORLD THE OBAMA WOULD BE BETTER OFF WITH HILLARY IN THAT SPOT.... OF COURSE THEN OBAMA WOULD HAVE TO WATCH HIS BACKSIDE.
I certainly hope someone asks Mr. McCain what he is doing at a forum on "service" when he and his running mate have been disparaging community involvement since the Republican convention. Does "service" not include helping ones' community?
National service is broad enough to include every act that is done on behalf of others. Even starting a business can be national service if the intent is to provide needed services for others rather than making the most money. A profit can be made, but the intent is service to others both in terms of the business and the employment it produces. When anything is done for selfish gain, then the idea of national service does not exist. The bottom line is service to others in response to real needs,
Just the facts McCain. Do you keep trying to change the election focus off of the issues because your like the line in the song Barracudda "If the real thing don't do the trick you better make up something quick" If your afraid to defend your 90% votes with Bush why are you even running?
Why are we even talking about this woman, Unless John McCain has dropped out and she is know running for President. Who cares! CNN always makes elections a popularity contest and easily get off message. The Republicans are manipulating you again. CNN won't put this message up they never do. It doesn't go along with the theme. Let's talk about what really matters to Americans JOBS JOBS JOBS.
Wow after hearing the question that was asked to Sarah Palin about foriegn polices, it quite clear that she don't know what she is doing. It goes to show you that she is being feed what to say.
To think that she could be the President of this country is very disturbing.
A yes woman all the way
what is interesting to me at the moment, is that because of Palin's almost socio-patichic-prosiac induced-PTA-Mom personality, she is actually out there pedaling "hope.' She is riding the crest of excitement, saying words like,"Change," and "Drill baby drill." And, people are responding to the hope and enthusiasm that she is projecting ( again, in my opinion, wildly mis-guided). In a very artful political move however, they have put Obama in the position of having to speak about how tough things are ( not a message that people want to respond to). He needs to change the game and find another way to be heard– this current road is a trap for him.
Raphael Sbarge