(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
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
I was surprised that the forum tonight, second presidential candidate was allowed to listen to the first presidential candidate, and then be in the position to comment on the first speaker.
You're exactly right Clay. The media needs to do their part to get things on the right track.
I personally think that Obama has a hidden agenda. The man scares me and I am an African American. I would love for this election to be about the issues and not race or gender. All of the smart remarks and taking things out of context are rediculous. I will vote for McCain for the simple reason – he is the lessor of two evils. I simply can not vote for Obama because he is dishonest and I don't trust the man.
I know that I am one of few and others disagree with me every day. I think McCain and Palin need to walk the walk when they are elected.
My take on a doctor who provides service in a rural area vs a hospital is they might be inclinded to take paycuts vs a hospital...Which goes back to Obama's well noted time as a community organizer. He wasn't paid well, but yet he chose his community over a better paying job.
Overall Obama is presenting more thoughtful, detailed, and innovative ways of service.
Indeed!
Sergeant Wag
who did you vote for 4 years ago?
You are wrong Roland
How many people volunteer to a service they know they may not come back home. Only the brave and courageos do. Dying for someone is the ultimate sacrifice. I would say military service trumps all, in my opinion.
Im not sure everyone is keeping track of all the promises of aid that Obama is promising- $4000 for every child for school- yes that would be great as I have 3 of my own- but How will he pay for it??? TAXES!! Why take it one month and give it back in taxes the next??
I see the voice of freedom is censored again.
Obama! is not real or Honest, he is evading and avoiding most of the questions him, with alot of wording, and he is not getting right to the point, he is at arms length, and he has nerver served in our Military so he would not be a good commander and Cheif, like McCain, Obama remember he was present even while he was in his the building, so he really never took part in the politcal responsiblity, of really voting on the issues, so that should tell you alot, He is always pointing the finger on the president, well he should look at the Clintons, they had this information of 9/11 for the last four years of there stance of the presidency! while the Bush had it only for a couple of months, We are pointing the fingers at the wrong persons, it should be the clintons, but the press and the Democrats have this wrong, and Congress had had this information for many years as well and we still blame the Bush people, We say thank you for one sided infor
I am sorry, Nathan, you cannot tell me that a social worker who goes into a drug infested neighborhood to get a child out is somehow not putting thier life on the line for a greater good. There is no higher purpose then service, whatever form one chooses, in my opinion.
Wow.... Senator Obama has really made some ground here with this commentary on community service and military interpolation. I think Gov. Palin and John Mccain would not be as inclusive as Sen. Obama. He really pushes on domestic and international work being equally important. If the GOP doesnt pick up on this this could be a big voter attraction. WHat do you think??
Candy – Obama thinks in paragraphs. Not just sound bites. ; )
Obama cannot answer a question directley. As far as i'm concerned he is finished, he just does not have what it takes to be President.
ROTC doesn't have to be on campus for people to know its an option..I agree with Roland....service is service...I wn't want my kids to be in the service is McCain/Palin was in charge...they will take us into another war!
Hey Bill, Roland,Bay and Candy,,,,What about school principals, and the folks that maintain schools they may get paid but not enough isn't that national service. Like to hear your comments.
Obama got to hear McCains questions, what a joke! Moderators go after McCain and leave Obama go on... and on....and on with NO tough questions. I thought this was to be about service to country, Not a one sided obamathon! If Obama says uh uh uh uh one more time before each sentence I will puke.
Obama segment is so inspirational and forward thinking. We really need someone to move us into the future.
All McCain talked about was war war war. He thinks of nothing else!!!!!
Mr. Mccain,
It is very disappointing to see you complaining about a lipstick and pig expression and accusing obama as sexist when you used it against Hillary Rodham Clinton. Talk about change and honor and serving a cause above your self. What a shame.
Is it just me or is Obama starting to steal McCain's most famous lines? Serve a cause greater than you...that sounds way too familiar!
where did sen. Obama work before he went to college he must have done something to help pay his way
why is mccain's service legendary? were not there thousands of pow's??
i now see that this man –is not someone i would trust the future of my children with...It's only words and speeches–nothing more...
Bill @ 9:13,
Are you so naive to think that if service became a national issue that neither Obama and McCain would compromise? Though they may "appear" to be different based on the statements, we all know in the end, both sides will compromise where government will be involved somehow – that's why government is getting out of hand. Proof is in Bush's Faith-based program – gov't is still involved and it got just a little bit larger.
The reason for the military being so unattractive is that not everyone wakes up and decides that "today I'm ready to join the military and go fight someone".
Obama made a great point by pointing out the many different responsiblities or opportunities for joining the military.
He made it very attractive from those points alone.