(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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I like how he is so contradictory about community organizers yet gave the go ahead for Palin's speech. Trust me, he read it first.
i like seeing this conversation tonight i think if every day in politics was like today more people would want to get involved,
enter Obama..
Change Washington with the same people who have been in charge for the last 8 years!!! WAKE UP AMERICA!!!
I wonder if McCain is getting tired of defending Palin as everyday serves up the true nasty side of this woman. Believe me I know, there are lots of hockey Mom's that are mouthy, opinionated and not the kind of people you want running your country. What is even worse is how his poor choice in running mates has taken away from attention on the real issues of the country like the role of service.
He refuses to apologize for heaping ridicule on Sen. Obama's public service as a new graduate of Columbia and then he blames Sen. Obama for not meeting him at Town Halls? And then says he wants a non-partisan debate? Can't you ask him for a clear answer as to why he ridicules faith-based community work and only sings the praises of military service? All he does is evade the question and blast Sen. Obama.
G Smith Annville, PA
Roland,
Just like John King's story last night. The Republican Leader in Michigan admitted that they have 'successfully' stolen change from Obama.
Yes, McCain is blaming Obama for the derisive tone of his campaign – all because Obama would not do town halls with him. So, McCain has decided to 'play dirty' to get back at Senator Obama?
Wow he sure stuck up for palens snide remarks about community organizers. Her sarcasim was humilitating to all those people.
The difference between a mayor and a community volunteer is that a mayor is an actual job that a person gets paid for, therefore he has bigger responsibilities that he must fulfill in order to get re-elected. On the other hand a community organizer does the work out of his own initiative not to fulfill a responsibility.
Bay!!......I was watching you last night... and my first opionion of you is a RED HEAD DEVIL... and by the way..... that hair does not suit you....
someone else trashes palin's experience, so, during the rnc giuliani and palin attack barack's community service. they place the blame and attacks on obama, when it was media and bloggers questioning palin's experience.
Bay Buchanan- You are one of the biggest hypocrites I have ever seen on CNN. You bash others for one thing if they are not on your side and then praise others for the same thing if they are on your side. Get a clue!
I think the media is in love with Palin they talk about her 24/7 I don't see the same coverage for Biden. Her son goes off to war is shown on tv Biden's son is also going off to war I heard nothing about it. I have been a CNN supporter for years but I can't stand the bias any longer you all should be ashamed of yourselves.
If it were not for community organizers we would be SOL, because our elected officials in Washington are not doing their job. At this point the country is in such a sad state that Government has to step up. If only for a while. Part of me wants to vote against ANY incumbent because they are no doing their job. I hate the negative ads and the bickering. They are like children. Politics needs to change. If you owned a business and your employees behaved in such a fashion, wouldn't you fire them? I would. Well, this is a business of sorts, and they are your employees.
There was no way in the world Sen. McCain could have gone on this show and actually supported Palin's comments about community organizers. Not only would he have been fried for it, he would have handed Obama another 10 million in fundraising dollars. That wasn't a good answer, that was good politics.
I agree with Dave If we had discussions about america in front of america more people would be involved
That is right on Roland
To day! I walk!! Best of Luck CNN.
Your going to need it... You can't always walk away. But! You got it wrong again...Blaim Anybody??? you have to wake-up, sometime.
Good one, Onyeka!
Judy should have asked him if he will bar his campaign for ripping Obama for being a community organizer. Now that would have been an answer to listen for!
I agree, Roland. He sells it well, but I still remember (2 weeks ago) when McCain was all about experience, experience, experience.... Unfortunately, I can't help but feel his answers are purely political.
I do believe that Barack Obama has the best opportunity to strengthen, broaden and deepend national service.
Think about this: He could, and knowing how smart Obama is-Obama could by a meer click in the White House–unleash the current incredible ground organization, to help out in times of need.
Just think about it! Obama could have arrived, innadvertently, closer to knowing almost every neighbourhood in America. Unbelievable!
Bay, you're delusional if you think McCain can have it both ways...demonize community organizers and the praise them when it's convinient! Americans aren't stupid. You'll see that in November!
Lets be real, the reason for (most) getting into the Military is not to fight wars, they do it for stability, benifits and school and because they are in the Military things will happen like this war and the problem is some never come home, families are recked and then soon the ones who faught are forgotten.
Is McCain campaigning for Obama now? He says the American people want to come together – he's right – but all he's selling is divisiveness that will not heal on November 5.
Kayr, you are absolutely right! If Selective Service was active, and we no longer had an all volunteer military, and the wealthy's children were at the same risk as the children of the poor, there would NEVER have been a military deployment to to Afganistan, Iraq, or Somalia!