- Daily Photo: Obama Jokes Around at G-20
- Blackwater gets replaced in Iraq
- Daily Photo: U.S. Marines Look Out for Taliban in Afghanistan
- Hillary Clinton the Tomboy and Her "Ah-Ha" Moment
- Obama Administration Sudan Envoy Headed to Region
- Daily Photo: Potential Flashpoint in Iraq
- Clinton Says New Afghanistan-Pakistan Plan Depends on Diplomacy
- Exclusive: Three Israeli Airstrikes Against Sudan
- Additional 4,000 Troops to Be Ordered to Afghanistan
- Daily Photo: Navy Submarine Trains in the Arctic
- Alarm Over North Korea Missile Prep
- Anti-Terror Stimulus? US Offers Rewards for Top Terrorists
- Daily Photo: Pakistani Women in Refugee Camp
- Condoleezza Rice Appears on "The Tonight Show"
- Diplomat and Aid Group Sound the Alarm on Darfur Camp Situation
- auto industry rescue
- Ballotwatch
- Biden, Joe
- Bush, George W.
- Clinton, Bill
- Clinton, Hillary
- Dodd, Chris
- Edwards, John
- Giuliani, Rudy
- Gravel, Mike
- Huckabee, Mike
- Hunter, Duncan
- Inauguration
- Iraq
- Kucinich, Dennis
- McCain, John
- Obama, Barack
- Palin, Sarah
- Paul, Ron
- Romney, Mitt
- Tancredo, Tom
- Thompson, Fred
- Veepstakes
- Vote 2008: Democrats
- Vote 2008: Republicans
- Washington
- White House
« Previous | Main | Next »
McCain & Obama Share Stage Briefly at Service Forum
September 11, 2008 11:16 PM
ABC's Jennifer Duck and Sunlen Miller report:
The two presidential candidates came together for the second time on the seventh anniversary of Sept. 11 to talk about service in a forum sponsored by ServiceNation and TIME magazine. A brief handshake and pat on the back served as a break between each candidate’s solo segment with moderators.
Both had visited Ground Zero together earlier in the day.
“When I think of 9/11, I think of that spirit after the tragedy had occurred, how the outpouring of patriotism, emotion, volunteerism, the desire for service was in the minds of everyone," Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., said about his feelings of 9/11.
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., echoed similar sentiments, and of bipartisanship. “We weren't Republicans on Sept. 11, we weren't Democrats, we were Americans.”
Moderator Judy Woodruff asked if McCain’s many years in Washington gives him the understanding of changes that need to be made. McCain, trying to distance his role as a Washington insider, responded, “Well, first of all, I wasn't elected "Miss Congeniality" again this year. ... And the fact is, I fought them, and fought them, and fought them. And we have achieved some reforms.”
Woodruff then pressed McCain on his running mate’s criticisms and sharp tone of Obama’s experience as a community organizer.
“First of all, this is a tough business,” McCain said, before defending his vice presidential pick.
“Look, Gov. Palin was responding to the criticism of her inexperience and her job as a mayor in a small town. That's what she was responding to. Of course, I respect community organizers.”
McCain continued, “I admire mayors. Listen, mayors have the toughest job, I think, in America. It's easy for me to go to Washington and, frankly, be somewhat divorced from the day-to-day challenges people have.”
Obama, when asked about the criticisms of his early community organizing days, was on the defense, saying he was surprised that his work was “belittled,” but praised Palin for her work as a mayor.
“Mayors have some of the toughest jobs in the country, because that's where the rubber hits the road. We yak in the Senate. They actually have to fill potholes and trim trees and make sure the garbage is taken away.”
McCain praised Obama throughout the forum, saying he would work with him no matter what happens in November.
“Would you perhaps ask Sen. Obama to be a member of your Cabinet for national service?” moderator Rick Stengel asked.
“Yes,” McCain said with a laugh. “You know, every time we see a problem, we sort of -- let's create another Cabinet post. Now, we have got so many members of the Cabinet, that the Cabinet never meets, as you well know. So, I'd rather see a powerful, influential, outstanding person sitting in that office who I could literally deal with every day.”
Obama –- when asked if he would accept McCain’s offer –- said not just yet.
“We’ve got a little work to do before we get to that point,” Obama said, laughing.
When asked, if he won the presidency, if he would ask McCain to be a member of his Cabinet for national service, Obama said yes, and joked again, “I mean, if this is the deal he wants to make right now.”
The forum also raised an interesting point about the ROTC program, which is absent at Columbia University, where the forum was held. Both candidates have ties to the university -- McCain’s daughter Meghan attended the school, and it is Obama’s alma mater.
“Frankly, we're here in a wonderful institution. I'm proud that my daughter graduated from this school. But do you know that this school will not allow ROTC on this campus?” McCain said at one point to roaring applause both inside and outside the auditorium where a group of students gathered to watch the speeches on an outdoor big screen TV.
“I don't think that's right,” McCain continued. “Shouldn't the students here be exposed to the attractiveness of serving in the military, particularly as an officer? So, maybe -- I would hope that these universities ... would re-examine that policy of not even allowing people who come here to represent the military, and other Ivy League schools, and then maybe they will be able to attract some more.”
Obama agreed, calling it a “mistake” to not let ROTC on campus. “I recognize that there are students here who have differences in terms of military policy. But the notion that young people here at Columbia or anywhere, in any university, aren't offered the choice, the option of participating in military service, I think is a mistake.”
The cordial event was a brief respite of the fierce back and forth on the campaign trail this week. Obama will campaign in New Hampshire over the weekend, and McCain will be in New York and Washington, D.C.
The presidential contenders won’t be seen on stage together again until the first presidential debate on Sept. 26 in Mississippi.
September 11, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (39)
You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.
Can Charles Gibson truly look the country in the eye and say I am not bias? As a registered Democrat I was truly disgusted with the interview with Governor Palin. After watching numerous interviews given by Gibson this was a true shocker. Gibsons intentional attempt to try and make Governor Palin look foolishly uniformed and less than able to handle international affairs was insulting. Gibsons own bias by ignorance does not let him see the facts. His attempt to make the Governor Palin look foolish and simply blind to the facts only turned against him, with the Governors strait forward very much informed able and ready answers to his questions during the interview/interrogation. Gibson was made the fool. Gibson was biased not subjective in his interview. ABC should truly look at this and ask themselves is this is a subjective member of our association? To refer to Senator Obamas recent comments " You can put lipstick on a pig and it is still a pig" truly describes Charles Gibson
Posted by: SamDavidBagley | Sep 11, 2008 11:35:39 PM
I thought that McCain gave better answers
Posted by: A Guy Named Keith | Sep 12, 2008 12:04:47 AM
Obama is a bloviating wind bag who clearly heard all of Sen. McCain's answers....McCain has always said serve a purpose higher than yourself and what does BO say AFTER McCain is off stage....same things on several counts.
CLEARLY NO CONE OF SILENCE FOR BOZO WHO WOULD NEVER DO 10 TOWN HALLS LIKE McCAIN REQUESTED MONTHS AGO.
Frickin loser Obama...you make me sick.
Posted by: Debra | Sep 12, 2008 12:05:56 AM
But oh the applause Debra. Yes, his answers had no substance. Hillary also said that they would ask her questions first and he would take the answers. I find myself gazing off when he speaks.
Posted by: A Guy Named Keith | Sep 12, 2008 12:13:46 AM
Another Obama supporter that does not know how determine an unbiased interview or convention coverage after the MSNBC BIAS. Why do you think MSNBC fired those drum banging anchors from the political coverage. They do not like being behind and now they are out. MSNBC proves they are a radical station with out control in their own back yard.
Do not like the people seeing the true Obama and trying to take the hi light off of him before the foot makes it to the mouth again. Obama can not even follow the rules of the forum. The rules no comparisons, Obama can not explain his stand without McCain's stance. NO PROMPTER.
Posted by: dadminnesota | Sep 12, 2008 12:17:26 AM
Obama talks that he is our commander as if he has won. Give him a little spotlight. He will burn himself.
Posted by: dadminnesota | Sep 12, 2008 12:20:56 AM
Why can't Obama get rid of his stutter and stammer? I, I, I, I,....but, but, but, ug, ug, ug, agh, ahg....oh my God....he LOSES ME EVERYTIME.
GO McCAIN!!!!
Posted by: Debra | Sep 12, 2008 12:41:08 AM
He is trying to remember what lie he told before with the same question.
Posted by: dadminnesota | Sep 12, 2008 12:42:58 AM
Obama looked like a student during a speech contest.
Posted by: dadminnesota | Sep 12, 2008 12:45:18 AM
Doing about a d-. Did any one count the unnecessary stutters and filler words?
Posted by: dadminnesota | Sep 12, 2008 12:47:02 AM
Obama now wants me to pay for another kids college education ! I went to college and graduate school, Columbia University where Obama went, and worked and paid for my own tuition. I took out student loans and paid them back. Why now should I pay for another person's tuition?
Posted by: Christina | Sep 12, 2008 12:49:40 AM
McCain will kick his a-- in the debates...he speaks so much more clearly and doesn't go off in nuances. I do believe he watched McCain's answers closely as he made reference to what McCain had said earlier.
Hillary used to hate having to answer first....Obama is always looking to copy or re-word.
Posted by: Debra | Sep 12, 2008 12:49:51 AM
OMG! They’re back. I no sooner reported The Democratic National Committee had been consigned to the dustbin, than it reappeared that very evening at the 9-11 Forum On Public Service & Civic Engagement. Held at Columbia University, Richard Stengel, managing editor of TIME narrated the forum, staged by Service Nation (a new nationwide coalition). The DNC has now reemerged as The (International) Provisional People’s Collective Party, or PCP. Howard Dean is still the chairman. And, guess what the PCP has planned; you guessed it: Political Officers, Commissars. The title Commissar refers to either a People’s Commissar (government), or a Political Commissar (military). The good news, we’re going to get both. In the Soviet Union, the Institute of Political Commissars was established to control the military. The state security organizations, KGB, etc., and or People’s Commissars also controlled the Soviet Army, together with the entire Soviet State. The apparatus was so effective; we should have Commissars. But first we need an organ with which to train them. Welcome comrade, to Hillary’s National Public Service Academy: http://theseedsof9-11.com
Posted by: Peggy McGilligan | Sep 12, 2008 12:50:50 AM
If you have enjoyed the pain the last 8 years, then vote "maccain"
Posted by: Phill | Sep 12, 2008 1:33:23 AM
McCain was blaming Iraq for 911 ON 911. And Biden was meeting and wiring money through Mahmoud Ahmed TO Mohammad Atta ont the day OF 911... If that doesn't make you physically sick, and make you want to vote for ANYBODY but these two lying (insert word here) then I don't know how you can sleep at night or even live with yourself. Biden and Bob Graham were giving taxpayer dollars to someone to give to a freaking hijacker who was trained at Maxwell AFB in Alabama. If you think that this is the type of person you want in power over you the God help you and God help us ALL!!!
Posted by: argh! | Sep 12, 2008 1:38:25 AM
I will have the best laugh...as I witness all you Republicans eat crow as Obama becomes President.
You are a vicious bunch of people...but I'm sure Palin must be praying for you.
Posted by: Eileen C. Tallon | Sep 12, 2008 2:17:24 AM
It's interesting to watch body language:
At the Ground Zero Memorial, McCain bent down and carefully placed a rose; Obama nonchalantly tossed his rose as if throwing away a cigarette butt.
Posted by: Donoke9-10 | Sep 12, 2008 2:27:14 AM
Good day people, as all of you know (obviously there are some of you that don't) the launch of the evil machine known as large hadron collider is near. There are some thories that predict total destruction of the Earth. However, there also some brighter theories saying that important things are yet to be discovered by using the LHC. My personal opinion is that everything gonna be ok, what's yours?
[url=http://recipeforcabbagesoupdiet.150m.com/free-detailed-first-name-meanings.html]free detailed first name meanings[/url]
Posted by: Gokimmuro | Sep 12, 2008 2:28:42 AM
I wonder if people are really listening to Obama and his community service requirement for every American who gets help from the government. I think that this is a vague description of slavery. This is very much like how indentured servants were expected to pay off their debts with "community service" to their debtors. I personally do not want any goverment officials telling me that I am responsible for john or jane doe who wants to further his or her education with my tax dollars while I give service to the world for asking for some help getting a great education. Wake up people, Obama has another agenda and will be a very dangerous person if elected president. Who of you want your sons and daughters forced to go to soup kitchens, AIDS victims homes, homeless shelters, Elderly homes and what ever else Obama thinks up. These are all worthy, wonderful ways of giving back to the community but when you are forced as I said you are really only a slave forced to do something you really do not want to do.
Posted by: Annette | Sep 12, 2008 4:04:24 AM
Well this has been rewarding it go's to prove a recent article in "News Week" is correct with the kind of voters we have in this country we are in for a rude awakening. Eight Years of lies and deceit all because of 9/11 we live in constant fear of a band of radicals form Afghanistan and Pakistan not Iraq but because we wanted blood and we could not find a country who took credit for the attacks we decided to go to Iraq and bomb the hell out of that country.
We never consider the fact that the people of Iraq were not responsible for 9/11 but we wanted to attack a nation that could fight back with a supposed untrue story that Osama and Saddam were connected it was a lie. But Some choose to accept a lie rather then truth and are still living in a false realm of reality.
McCain and Palin want more war and Palin in her soft ball interview with Charllie Gibson , and she is willing to go t o War with Russia assuring that our country will forever be changed.
We will not be in a rifle to rifle fight with Russia it will be much much worse.
Judging some of the comments I have read some find it easier to vote for more war and higher gas , a terrible economy,... but we need not worry if McCain is in office we may not have an economy to worry about... Just think about it. So much for my grand children .
Posted by: Kevin | Sep 12, 2008 5:54:02 AM
Post a comment



