(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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Can anyone explain to me why Rudy Giuliani and Sarah Palin made fun of community organizers during the RNC and here you have McCain talking about service and volunteering? It is just hypocritical.
I think you cannot compare distinct titles such as major vs. community organizer. That is what is laughfable–the comparison, not the type of work
Bay Buchanan, although Obama picked an insider as his veep, wouldnt you agree that mccain is an insider. The only difference is that obama is on the top of his party's ticket and palin is not.
Roland I agree
I'm sorry his answer to the Palin question has not cleared up anything. He basically just blamed Obama – again.
Is is just me or does the majority of answers that doesn't involve POW sound exactly like the same answers that Obama has been saying for months?
Amen, Katy! I'm in the exact same spot.
Where is Anderson Cooper?
Candy, Any college that refuses to allow ROTC should not be eligable for any federal grants either. If they can't support their country, why should the country support them?
As long as we continue to attack the letter of the comments and not the intent of the comments we will continue to have this divisive system. I think everyone here realizes Ms. Palin's comment was in response to Sen Obama's comparison and not an attack on community organizers. This needs to stop on both sides.
MRS> Palin I just finished watching your interview with Charlie.Wow.
BAD. YOU were edited. WAY too close to mr. gibson. I believe that your answers were practised. You tried very hard not to wink too. A sexual undertone the republicans are trying to get you to stop obviously. YOU ARE NOT READY. JUST an Observation. NO cut downs I will leave that to the republicans.
Did John McCain just say because he goes to Washington he is divorced from people's problems?
The media has to confront this guy and his flip flops...he is not a Maverick anymore....he is in step with the Rove and Bush GOP...right down to his speech writers! As him about his Healthcare plan...his education plan...he wont answer it. Stop taking it easy on him and Palin!!!
I find McCain lacks some credibility now on promoting public service, since his campaign allowed the RNC (Guiliani, VP, etc.) to belittle community organizing on a national stage. It unfortunately does not set the example we need from our leaders in the highest offices in this nation.
Wondering what happened to Jack Cafferty.
They should have offended every community organizer in the country and it shows how out of touch they are with the country....and while Palin was talking...what has she done? A small time mayor, please Obama probably led 4 times as many people doing what he was doing in Chicago
I am not sure that John McCain made the right choice for his party, although he made the right choice to prove there could be corruption before the election with his running mate. Although where I live we have questioned corruption in our state run workers compensation in North Dakota, so corruption is nothing new to us here.
On PBS you can watch the feed of this forum with commentary from professional journalists and experts on domestic policy. On CNN it airs with paid advertorials from special interest groups. I'm sticking with CNN... guess that says something about whose voice is relevant these days.
Okay he would sign the bill but would he provide the necessary funding for these programs. As former member of city year Detroit I am interested to know.
What do town halls have to do with telling lies about someone?
Obama's message isn't new its the same one that the democrats have been trying to sell for decades!!!!!!
LOL! It's a tough business and he blames Obama for Town Hall meetings. How about condemning the remarks. And pandering with the line about mayors have the toughest jobs in America. I dare you to find a "small town mayor" who say being leadewr of the free world is easier. That was absurd response.
WHY are they not making him answer the question????? All I'm hearing is "9/11 - 9/11 - 9/11!"
Oh, boy. Here goes Judy getting ready to demean Gov. Palin. I think what Gov. Palin said is exactly right –a community organizer is NOT on par with a mayor or governor
He is SO inconsistent with his message. How can anyone know what to expect from him a leader.
I found that to be insulting - town halls like McCain wanted....right.....how divisive... I'll tune in at 9 when Barack is on and see how he does. This is really lame.