(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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Bay,
Get over yourself already...even your brother has a better sense of what is going on than you do...that scares the heck out of me
Lofty appears to be more in touch with his people..he may not appear on People magazine and be a celebrity like Palin, but sure can insprire those around him..
what do you mean by failing teachers, ones who won't teach creationism?
Candy, it's so obvious you're in the tank for McCain.
Roland this setting would be better if both candidates were together but this is a nice repreive/setting from the the divisive partisan politics that consistently gets displayed throughout this campaign by both sides and enflamed by the media.
This topic is one where it seems Obama and McCain share commonality. As Americans (Republicans and Democrats) we spend more time pointing fingers at the other party for what they said or what they have or haven't done than trying to find the areas where we have common ground and working from there.
Being an American isn't a zero sum game however both parties and candidates have forgotten some of the basic constructs and principles that our forefathers fought so hard for many years ago.
You guys in the media don't get it. This is a farce because there are virtually no difference between McCain and Obama, since they both support the same philosophical side of the issues – they both are globalists who supports limiting our Constitution, expanding government, and getting people dependent on the government. They only debate the solutions and the best way to implement them.
Whereas the 3rd parties, such as Chuck Baldwin of the Constitution Party, have real philosophical differences with the major parties. The Constitution Party believes in limiting government, getting rid of the IRS, nationalism, protecting the border, and strictly limiting the government to the Constitution.
Why are you guys in the media afraid to cover 3rd parties? Don't you know that these 3rd parties have clear differences with the major parties, and they have original ideas that most Americans would support if they were given the chance to be heard?
If we were just electing somebody to a 'job' here I would choose who had the best ideas alone. The presidency is not just a job however, the president is a symbol. Obama is a better symbol then McCain, its a major plus that I agree with him on the issues. I like McCain as a guy, id like to have a beer with him...but like I would ever actually have a beer with the president.
OOOPs Obama just made a slip...He said after he graduated from COLUMBIA...I thought he graduated from Harvard. Considering the setting, an honest mistake.
EXCELLENT PLAN MOTIVATES ME
Might I suggest that while Obama wants to move away from George Bush could it be that his policies take us to embrace another type of George ? King George Of England at the time of American Independence......Every aspect of American life.....was that meant to be controlled by a supreme head like monarchy ? Or was it rather various systems of government with division of powers....federal , state, and city.
I agree with Christian of Tampa, FL about being disturbed by McCain's blaming the negative tenor of the campaign on Obama's not agreeing to do the town hall meeting circuit with him. McCain sounds like a petulant child...you didn't do what I wanted, so I am going to attack you and then say it is your fault I am attacking you!
McCain is without honor.
Why isn't the media reporting that many veterans organizations (VFW, DAV) have given Obama their highest ratings, not McCain. McCain has consistently voting against the interests of veterans.
I am retired military (and a Gulf War Vet) and I support Obama/Biden.
Yes Mccain seems to only understand the military and this does not represent most of us who believe in other ways to solve things besides intimidation and power
He is giving his stump speech!
Bill – I don't trust McCain. Now whitewash that one.
The fact is the ONLY person in this campaign who has talked about community service from day ONE is Obama. He is excelling tonight and he is much more on point than McCain. It has nothing to do with him not being in the "cone of silence" it has to do with the FACT that he has made community service the pillar of his campaign and that community service has shaped his entire world view. Thanks Roland for your great voice in this forum!
Hey Bay, Hows No Child Left Behind doing? I know alot of teacher...my wife is a teacher...that hate and despise it!!!!
He didn't have to remind the crowd where he graduated from.
Another little thing that get the crowd on his side.
He is a gifted speaker but we are not electing a president based on public speaking ability.
Are we????
That is a VERY clever education plan, and will work nicely
You can tell now that Sen. Obama was listening very closely to Senator Mccain's answers.
why are the commentators give Obama a heads up on exactly what McCain's answers were to each question they ask him. Even if Obama had the chance to listen to McCain the fact that they are reiterating McCain's answers are truly ridiculous. Can SomeONE..ANYONE ask Obama a question without giving him crutches to help him along.
This is unfair – Obama heard all of McCain's answers.
Bill
Talking about it is all Senator Obama does. Please point to one time he has taken on the hard fight.
I dont think that is it surprising that he would "take on unions" I think he will work with unions. Not by giving in to them but by looking at both sides, the pros and cons and bringing all views to the table.
Unfortunately, the moderators are showing their liberal tendencies. Almost every question seems to be, how can government help with this or how can government help with that. McCain tried to get the point cross that while government can help with some things, the private sector is usually much more effective - IF GOVERNMENT JUST GETS OUT OF THE WAY!
JOHN MCCAIN HAS NO HONOR
John McCain's latest add insinuates Obama is a pedophile!!! John McCain has no honor. Every major event in his life since 'nam indicates he lacks honor. Left his first wife for another, Keating 5, now new Rovian lows in his so-called 'honorable campaign.' He calls this business a tough business – a tough business John, or a dishonorable business
JOHN MCCAIN HAS NO HONOR
Pat, The military is all McCain knows. He grew up in a very big military family. This is what he knows and this is his solution to many things.