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September 12th, 2008 at 8:08 am

Video & Photos: Barack Obama John McCain at ServiceNation Presidential Candidates Forum at Columbia University 9-11-08

Barack Obama and John McCain at ServiceNational Presidential Candidates Forum at Columbia University, New York City, September 11, 2008

U.S. Presidential candidates Senator Barack Obama and Senator John McCain took part in the ServiceNation Presidential Candidates Forum at Columbia University September 11, 2008 in New York City. The forum, on public service, was hosted by ServiceNation, a newly established coalition of 110 organizations focused on civic engagement and service, and moderated by PBS senior correspondent Judy Woodruff and Time magazine managing editor Richard Stengel. It was the candidates’ second joint appearance in commemoration of the seventh anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain pledged to inspire a new commitment to public service Thursday, as they set aside the rancor of an intense presidential campaign during a two-hour forum on the seventh anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Barack Obama and John McCain at ServiceNational Presidential Candidates Forum at Columbia University, New York City, September 11, 2008
John McCain and Barack Obama with PBS senior correspondent Judy Woodruff and Time magazine managing editor Richard Stengel

“The best way to commemorate, and the best way to show our appreciation for and our love and sympathy for the families of those who have sacrificed, is to serve our country,” McCain said.

The question, Obama said later, is how to recreate the spirit of service “not just during times of tragedy, not just during 9/11, but how do we honor those who died, those who sacrificed . . . how do we honor them every day?”

Barack Obama and John McCain at ServiceNational Presidential Candidates Forum at Columbia University, New York City, September 11, 2008

In back-to-back conversations largely devoid of partisan recrimination, McCain (R-Ariz.) and Obama (D-Ill.) each urged Americans to honor the victims of the country’s worst terrorist attack by dedicating their time to service through teaching, the military, the Peace Corps and faith-based volunteering.

But the reality of Campaign 2008 — a contest that has turned particularly ugly in recent days — was never far from the surface as both men were challenged by the questioners to explain the often angry tone of their competition for the White House.

John McCain at ServiceNational Presidential Candidates Forum at Columbia University, New York City, September 11, 2008

McCain acknowledged the “rough” nature of the campaign and praised Obama’s service as a community organizer — something his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, had mocked during her speech to the Republican national convention.

McCain defended Palin, saying she had been responding to a barrage of criticism of her own experience as a small-town mayor. But he appeared to chide his supporters who derided Obama’s efforts as a young man.

“Of course I respect community organizers. Of course I respect people who serve their community,” he said.

Barack Obama at ServiceNational Presidential Candidates Forum at Columbia University, New York City, September 11, 2008

Obama did not disparage Palin’s service as mayor of Wasilla, praising small-town mayors and noting the presence of many at the Democratic National Convention in Denver last month. “We yak in the Senate. They actually have to fill potholes, trim trees and make sure the garbage is collected,” Obama said.

He expressed only “surprise” at Palin’s decision to belittle his work as a community organizer, displaying no anger and keeping the sometimes subdued tone that some Democrats have argued he must shed if he is to rally Democrats and appeal to voters waiting for him to display his passion.

Obama called McCain’s service in the military “legendary,” adding that “one of the wonderful things about this campaign is his ability to share that story.”

Some of the more lighthearted moments of the evening came when each man was asked if he would create a Cabinet-level position on public service — and then appoint the other to it.

Source: Candidates Promise National-Service Initiatives

Photo credit: Mario Tama/Getty Images North America, Ray Stubblebine/Reuters

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