(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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As an independent voter, I see Obama and Palin as very similar; both are young, charismatic, under-qualified and highly partisan. I had such high hopes that this year would be a break from the extreme partisanship of recent elections.
I wish I would hear more depth from Obama. It almost seems like he's repeating himself with similiar lines. Does anyone else see this?
People keep going on and on about the experience thing between McCain and Obama. I, for one, think it is a dumb argument, as Obama has exp and leadership abilities, but even if he did not, I would rather stick with possible change than 4 more years of governmental crap!
nothing but clarity. this guy is unbelievable.
insane that some don't see it yet.
obama is hitting the nailn on the head
This is just wrong!!!!
Obama was sitting in the audience listening not only to the questions for Mc Cain BUT also his responses and he' s saying the same things!!!!!
What a lack of ideas!!!! It's obvious all he can do is pick up where McCain goes. It's almost verbatum!!!!
I guess he and Biden make a great pair the steal speeches, thoughts, and ideas and think no one will catch on.
Think again !!!!!!
Obama is clearly making his point. I never heard the commentators ask McCain for any specifics. NONE!! NADA on any of the questions. Hello!
The talk around town is that Barrack Obama's comment about "lipstick" is not really meant for Sarah Palin rather it is a compliment for his wife, Michelle Obama.
There are obviously scores of candidates for President that had not run before, and certainly there are even more that were nominated for VP that had not run for President. It is by no means a pre-requisite to be the VP.
There are those that are called to serve in other roles and ultimately answer the call of their respective party and our country to serve on a higher level. While I believe that I could run for President, and I also believe that there could be an opportunity to serve in another Federal role, I am NOT open to having the ridiculous scrutiny warranted if you want to seek public office. She has been called to serve, and I applaud her.
No candidate is without fault, including the VP candidate on the Dem site of the aisle. Consider why he dropped out of the Presidential race the first time he ran for the top spot SEVERAL years ago.
Exactly Bill. Serving is about doing something because you want to do it, not because the government is telling you that you should or providing incentives. People volunteer for free more so than they do for a government program which pays them.
Jeffrey, Sounding intellectual doesn't mean one is intellectual. One's ability to communicate does not mean they are great speakers.
Obama should drop Biden and pick Hillary!!
Bill, like I said previously, McCain wants to reincarnate the Reagan Era. Less government and more responsibility on those who can't afford it.
clean energy core is a good idea
bill, isn't one reason we institute a government in the first place to organize certain services?
Yes specifics is what we want to here. Thanks Obama for giving us thoughtful answers.
Roland
It is fairly obvious what Lloyd meant. But hey nothing like distorting the issue to score a point.
Schools improving- I worked for 20 years in a Florida School system and the No Child left behind is not well thought of via Bush. Mccain doesnt understand education only soldiering
It seems that McCain frames everything from a military framework – that scares me for some reason!
See that is where you are wrong TALK is the first thing to change schools. Parents and teachers getting together to make their schools better. Maybe you missed it its called the PTA. Many schools have it. With proper jobs and healthcare and more of the taxpayers having more money in their pockets families can involved. You really need to stop Bay, your life may be financially on the right track, but I need you to look into the eyes of the many families whose lives are not. That sounded like another ignorant Repub statement.
I always thought that America was a government for the people and by the people. Why wouldn't national service and community service be and active part of government. We are all our government if we participate.
Well Bill, McCain and the Republicans are all about "privatizing" everything so this should not be a surprise. If you think privatizing things works maybe you should ask our troops in Iraq how they feel about KBR and their shoddy electric work that KILLED some of our soldiers. There are some things the government can do better than private business.
Man.....after reading all this crap I am soooooooooooooo glad I am not a Democraper. Tonights forum is a stacked deck against McCain and Osama couldn't even pull this off. Even though the moderators were on his side, telling him McCains position on items, he still could not make since of his answer. Where does this idiot stand? This is the best the Democraps have to offer. You should have gone with Clinton. At least she can make sense in a debate.
Why doesn't Obama take the stand that lowering taxes on 95% of Americans will bolster the economy more then any big corporate tax cut? It will be more beneficial for small businesses.
Obama is more specific in his answers. Saying he had an advantage because he went second doesn't make sense – these questions that anyone seeking the office they seek should have considered... not being specific means not being prepared... experience isn't showing for McCain compared to Obama.