(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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Has anyone painted the similarities between Cheney and Palin? Bay Buchanan, was this a Republican strategy to mimic the same style person in the VP role?
Did McCain just say he wanted foreigners to stay here and work? What about jobs for Americans?
I wouldn't say he did well. I think he did exactly what Bay said, he "skirted the issue[s]". I think that's their strategy lately, not to talk about the issues.
When are the significant issues that are relevant to the future of this country going to be discussed and covered by CNN?
McCain as far as I just heard said nothing new except the offering of green cards for students
Roland, I am glad someone on this blog has sense.... no pressing what so over... maybe they didn't want to set him off.....they know how he is.... anger..angry and angrier....
WHY IS SENATOR OBAMA CHICKEN TO DEBATE MCCAIN IN THAT SETTING?
The moderators are awful. What is the purpose of this forum? Let's see hpw they treat Obama.
These are the types of forums McCain requires as he doesn't have to have a visual contrast (Older vs Mature) with Obama consistently. I believe the McCain campaign will utilize this strategy.
How did everyong think McCain did, and was there a benefit to the American people having this forum? Just curious.
Roland, I agree. Do we want to encourage ALL Americans to volunteer or are we going to have a don't ask don't tell policy.
I am a caseworker in social services. I am Caucasian, but work in a part of my city that is dominated by minorities. I wouldn't leave my job for anything. I love it. I meet thousands of good people just trying to work hard and be the best that they can be. I love this forum.
Thank you CNN!
Campaign are not ran nasty, they are covered nasty
Wow, when McCain came on stage they allowed the audience about 15-20 seconds to welcome him. Then he was directed to sit down.
When they brought in Obama they motioned everyone to stand and cheer and never directed Obama to the chair as they did with McCain.
My observation.
A quick question, I feel I am little naïve. Why would a Governor of a state that has a potential budget surplus of 9 BILLION dollars ask for an earmark. That just seems greedy to me! When asked to defend Palin, McCain who rails against earmarks, stated that earmarks are the only way for local governments to fund these projects. So which is it, do earmarks fund much needed programs or are they for greedy states to build bridges to NOWHERE!
now it is on
I need these candidates to be tougher. Tougher and surer with their Judgment. Sarah Palin? hmm..I wonder what's she is doing now..reading her talking points memo?
Shannon, you're right.
The day we stop awarding nasty campaigns, that's the day it will end.
Can someone tell be what the Republican motto is now.. Change or Experience.
I agree; didn't hear much new...
The last forum was very McCain friendly. This one is gonna be very Obama friendly. Its Columbia for cripes sake...even I think that school is a little to far to the left.
i dont understand how can you support more military in a war against Al-Qaeda. Al-Qaeda is not a country!!! it is present in 80 countries and thousands of towns. Is America going to bomb Hamburg?? that's where the 9/11 therorists lived for years, or maybe rome that has also a large muslim community. Or probably São Paolo in Brazil??
IRAQ was not the problem!!
This is not a conventional war....
McCain said the economy is bad , who knew, said his campaign was staying focused on the isuses, when did this happen
I think John McCain has one foot in the nursing home and one foot in the white house. And if Sarah Palin can't even influence her own daughter, then how can she influence anyone else? Is that what America (and the world) is looking for? No thank you!
Barack Obama has the brains (don't be afraid) the wisdom (he got this far) and the tenacity (his whole life) to become a great President!
Now all we have to do is get enough intelligent voters to vote for him and and the democratic party and it will be easy enough to see if Barack and the Democrats can turn this County (the Titanic) turned around!
Every time they asked about the tone of the campaign being so nasty, McCain went to Obama not being willing to do the town halls. Is he saying that the reason he's being so nasty in the campaign is to punish Obama for not doing town halls with him? I heard that at least twice in this forum.