(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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My problem with Mccain claiming that he respects community organizers is why in the world did he allow not one, not two, but THREE people including his vice presidential choice to down them like that. "Not sure if that is even a real job". WHAT?????? He is quick to come out wanting Barack to condemn statements by other people but won't condemn the statements made by his own campaign staff. Nation of whiners indeed!
Why is it that no one brings up the fact that she is a GOVERNER.
She was defending herself.
McCain essentially equates service with the military ... WAR WAR WAR that's all he can talk about. He's trying his best to act civil on national TV, but will resort to sleazy ads full of lies the minute he steps out of that building ... what a fraud!
sen obama hit a homerun bravo
I agree with yessir! I have learned so much about leadership and personal responsibility observing Obama. His influences are many.
Roland, it is great to see new great energy into the American news media. You are a great American which much perspective. Stay healthy, and keep up the great work...
Dash-1
Americans: Where is your moral outrage? Palin is an affront to the Democratic process.
Press: What happened to your objectivity? You have completely failed in your responsibility to tell the truth.
What's problem with Bay . She looks like sore loser. Could not say one good thing for O'bama.
OK a moment of humour...Palin has done one interview and already the McCain camp is scrambling....gotta love it. Can't wait till she gets out on her own...late night tv comedians are excited I'm sure.
Thank you to the greatest politcal team on television for such great blogging. Appreciated it greatly.
Candy, And all of a sudden, after 26 years, McCain has all the answers! He's been part of the problem!
Obama should agree to some of those town hall meetings that McCain keeps crying about. That will refocus everyone on just the two of them again and he'll blow McCain away.
It is a sad comment on America's Corporate priorities, that a frank discussion on service and commitment to America has to conform to the constraints of the commercial interruptions.
QUESTION:
What percentage of African American lives in the town where Gov. Sarah Palin live and govern her term in office?
I would like to know!!
We have shortage of Gas at this moment! I am so sorry that people keep talking about new sources of energy! Just increase the supply and the prices will come down.
Today the gas prices are high and all these people are telling us to stop driving. What would you do in case we have a food shortage and the prices shoot up!
Will you tell all of us to stop eating or increase the supplyl.
The media seems to be in love with Sarah. Instead of calling her out on the rude and sarcastic speaches shes giving around the country! Cnn is also guilty of trying to make this election about the personality and connection rather than the real issues that matter to most Americans! (I believe purposely to help McCain-Palin)...Also it's a very good coinsidence how Obama's high poll numbers with veterans was completely ignored by the media!
What a boring forum..
Did Obama really say "i want to make America cool" lol uhhhhh
what a dumb answer
Where's Giuliani or Palin to belittle the community organizers tonight?
I thought, coming into this, McCain needed to say to me, "I'm capable of understanding Americans and what needs to happen in every community to turn this country as a whole around."
What I'm walking away with is a man who thinks that 30 years in Washington is a positive thing. Just because you know the name of every lobbyist doesn't mean you're the best at thwarting them.
Obama is a phony. Mccain tells it as it is.
To Bill Schneider
Inspiration form a good Democrat will NOT protect America and Americans from another terrorist attack, give us REAL energy independence, or grow our economy!
Please get real, this feel good stuff just won't cut it for my children and grandchildren we and they need a real proven LEADER!
Where has Mr. Obama proven his ability to LEAD? What has he accomplished that makes him a LEADER? Please give us three examples that clearly define his leadership abilities and past acccomplishments that have caused his PEERS to rally to his causes.
There are none sir! In my opinion he's not a leader, just a talker and talk comes CHEAP!
In some coumtries, the gov't will help pay the high costs of medical school, in exchange for public service to low income, rural areas for a period of time after residency. The cost for treatment for one of those doctors is extremely inexpensive, $2.00 in one country. I see this as a way for the government to aid its citizens directly, both the doctor and the patient. We have problems providing medical care in low income and rural areas. Paying someone's student loans in exchange for needed public service seems to me to be a win-win situation.
The media is supposed to be a referee in this thing but they appear to be"Palin struck"...this election is too important to the nation. CNN like Fox is now simple focused on "generating a story".
So, Bill/Candy/Rolland, kinda off topic, but did the crowd at CNN expect this to go anywhere but down? Kinda hard to keep it organized, were you guys expecting less posters?
Here's a new GRE analogy for the ages–let's see if anyone can get it right:
Obama : McCain :: Love for one's country : Love for one's country club
There you have it. A new GRE Hit Parade analogy. It's not necessary to live by it, but you might just vote by it.
Obama/Biden 08
Why are we talking about her? shes not going to be the president, shes going to be doing dicks job. Its all about Obama Vs Mc
Hold it ! McCain was asked if he'd bring in say a democrat in his cabinet and yet Obama wasn't ? O sure right....balanced interviews.