(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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We all admire John McCain, but Obama needs to hit on the fact that John McCain keeps changing his mind on issues, McCain and Palin has not stopped attacking Obama
Candy...
Because we can't get them to vote for TERM-LIMITS.
Dave...relax no one is DEMANDING that you serve, only asking. Surely that is a better option than manditory military stop loss.
Bill, I guess Obama can't do anything right in your eye sight.. Oh do you guys think he favors McCain a lot could be your half Brother DUDE..
Obama has done a great Job Tonight good for you President Elect Obama..
Cool and calm Love it.
Roland,
What do you think about ordinary people coming on talk shows to talk about the real problems in their life and who they feel will do more to help them? Wouldn't this more effective than the pundits talking for us?
I don't understand some people characterization of Obama as this villain. He is candidate who brings hope to a lot of America.
Candy- point well taken
This is the best America has to offer...not more of the same..which is what McCain is!
Haha Cindy, good point. But I think that only advances Palin's position, really!
My prayers are with those in danger of the wrath of Ike.
Listen to both Canadidates, Obama talked facts and in details but Mc Cain was rubbling and jumbbling no Issues no facts. Job well done. Well presidented Obama, Thanks
Small towns are hurting and trying to do the best with what they have. As a trainer who specializes in nonprofit development in small rural communities, I am quite puzzled with the feedback that network surveys have provided. They must not be surveying the same people that I have worked with for the last 20+ years.
Great to know that when McCain dies of old age while in office, his VP is willing to go to war with Russia. Great plan GOP! Thanks for your concern for the future and our kids.
Palin is pro-life and is opposed to abortion in all cases.
What if the woman was raped.
Palin admits to smoking marijuna as a youth
Signs of a drug addict.
Alaska is still the largest per-capita recipient of federal earmarks, requesting nearly $750 million in special federal spending and obtaining $295 per citizen from the federal government.
More earmarks than Obama.
In Palin's 2006 gubernatorial campaign, she supported the building of a bridge from Ketchikan to Gravina island which was later nicknamed the "Bridge to Nowhere" due to the island's population of 50. the $223 million Congressional earmarks for the bridge was criticized nationwide as wasteful federal spending.
So you did want to build the bridge.
Palin favored an "exit plan" for the war in Iraq
Sounds like Obama’ to me.
The McCain people should watch what they say when putting down others who have to clean up thier mess that thier edics have caused to the people as a whole. Telling a nurse, doctor, lawyer, farmer, cattle rancher, road paver that what they do deon not matteris completely craze. The military deos not produce anything that supports them the people here in the U.S. who work in each and every field that exists all across the U.S. can go on without , but the military which is completely dependent upon the citizens of America should be morwe thankful for whta they do for them. No militray farms for itself, nor does it produce the clothing that they wear, nor does it produce the equiptment that they have to use to do the job that the America peolpe has tasked them to do!
Obama,Lets move on to details rather than continue to repeat the same rhetoric we have been listening to for two years. Those two years he was paid as a Senator but seldom showed up for work.
Gee wasn't Ronald Reagan only a governor before he took office!
when people say this forum is not going to change a vote...it must mean only one thing – you are nervous that people may actually think there are other kinds of service beside miltiary service that is commendable and worthwhile.
I am loving this! I appreciate the commentators joining the forum to level up the discussion. It's much more civil and informative. Stay with us! Continue this format!
The best "public service" anyone cn perform is avoid politicians like the plague. With rare exceptions, politicians view public service as the willingness of the public to serve them.
Nicole, Obama is just going to spend it in Afganistan. Thats not a free war.
Okay lets see how long it takes FEMA to get to TEXAS. My guess they already left.
Maybe not Bay, but it is a breath of fresh air to hear both candidates leaving out the sniping.
Let me rephrase that. He said another draft would be APPROPRIATE!
Public or Private school for their kids????? I can only afford the unionized public monopoly.