(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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Why are they talking about why people should vote for them on a day like today?
I was on my college campus,,in the break room when I saw what happened... this entire day should be a day of silence...for the 9-11 victims...NO RESPECT!
Bill Clinton to campaign for Obama...
Probably good for the Obama effort since Bill has been a high profile hold out on Obama's campaign. But it pretty much puts Hillary on the sideline altogether. I'm sure this was not intentional but no one will remember her now that Bill and his big personality are coming to town. In fact, they may not remember Biden either...
And bail out companies?
Oh and I was talking about Governor Palin's interview on ABC. Sorry for the misunderstanding.
John McCain deserves repect but does not deserve to be President of the United States.
uH oh....he said Ice truck in maine...
Will someone please ask McCain what he believes community organizers do and how they fit into his vision of "service"?
McCain keeps bringing up faith-based organisations, in a question about the role of the private sector. Is he playing to the base?
She is an arrogant smart alec and doesn't have a clue about how to be vp let alone President
Katiec...Do you know your on a CNN blog. I don't think CNN has been giving McCain any special treatment.
In my opinion, Barack Obama is not running against Bush, he is running for the American people; Bush can no longer serve.
Is he forgetting that he had a 4 day convention slamming a Faith Based Community Organizer named Obama
You know I was just saying yesterday how all you ever hear Palin say about McCain is what a strong man he is, and how great his message is.
This is the McCain that was just making a mockery of Community Service, a great way to serve your country. Now all of a sudden, in front of a different crowd he thinks it's great. I guess in his mind it depends on WHO is doing it.
Mccain is all of a sudden preaching "CHANGE", but hasn't Obama been campaigning on this idea for the last year? Nice Try Mccain, but you're just reaffriming what everyones knows already. Obama is our man...for CHANGE.
McCain is a liar.
Bill and Roland:
I have been a democrat all of my life. I live in Arizona and have for the past 20+ years. I have always tried to vote for the best candidate and have voted for McCain for Senator. However, in the last few years he has changed and his policies have become a mirror image of the Bush administration. I do not think now he and Palin are the best candidates to take this country in a different direction. Although Obama was not my first choice, I have come to believe he has the best plan. Service is something the Democrats have always advocated starting in the Kennedy administration with the Peace Corp. I seem to recall the the Republicans ridiculed the Americor when it was introduced.
Barack Obama and John McCain definitely have been quintessential examples of serving this country, but in very different ways. In Chicago, Barack Obama was an advocate for those who were voiceless. He understood the importance of engaging people within in the community and the positive change it could bring about. On the other hand, John McCain fought and suffered for this country. His experience as a POW is nothing short of triumphant. But, my issue with McCain is that he parades around with this slogan "Country First", when the majority of his policies do not help the many struggling and underprivileged people of this country? Who is he putting first? Clearly, it's the wealthy. His policies are just out of touch.
Privatize Social Security. Privatize everything. There he goes. Privatize America so the executives can move the jobs overseas. Great concept McCain.
I think Bay is incorrect. He is not on message. It is very difficult to be on message when noone is willing to discuss issues, but rather they deliver talking points. It's impossible to be on message when delivering only talking points. I really mean no disrespect, it's just very frustrating listening to talking points and lipstick comments. Sillyness.
Are faith-based organizations community organizers????
Goes with his less government theme. McCain is trying to reincarnate Ronald Reagan.
McCain can't run against Bush! He has been on his side over 90% of the time so he has no choice but to put most of the blame on an already upopular Congress. People don't fall for the smoke and mirrors!
Let’s start talking about the economy, and high tuition prices for those who can't afford to attend a four year institution.
i don't think so, John McCain needs to reference back to waht George W. Bush said back in 2004, its a 51% nation and a majority in the electoral college, the hardest college for democrats to get into