Candidates for the U.S. presidency, Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama, agreed today at a forum held at Columbia University, where he reflected, separately, on civic engagement and public service in his country.
Although both candidates agreed only a few moments on the stage of the auditorium where the meeting was held, who attended hundreds of people and broadcast live on several TV channels, it shared theme of reflection and a lot of questions from moderators.
This was the second time since they both agreed that political candidates were nominated by their respective parties, which justified the great attention he had attracted here in the United States.
The first time took place also today, when McCain and Obama came together to "Ground Zero" to pay tribute to victims of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 in this country, the tragedy that today marks the seventh anniversary .
When missing less than two months for holding the presidential elections, both politicians were interviewed separately today by the director of Time magazine, Richard Stengel, and the journalist with the PBS television channel publishes Judy Woodruff, in a forum prepared by the ServiceNation coalition, which brings together more than a hundred community organizations.
During his speech, McCain called for more to involve civil society in protecting the nation and expand opportunities to serve their country.
"The best way to commemorate this date and show our appreciation and affection for the families and those who sacrificed to serve the country and thus ensure that this does not happen again," he said.
The Republican candidate acknowledged that citizens "are frustrated with the current government" and recalled that a 84 percent believed that the administration "is going in the wrong direction".
Therefore, insisted that "it is necessary to reform the government," how they are "things" in Washington, while opted to strengthen the role they should play religious organizations, civic and private sector.
He also alluded to the difficulties facing the military recruitment and considered to be expanding the Army "and as soon as possible."
For his part, Obama called for "inspiration" to young Americans to commit themselves to serving their country, both military and civilian.
"The U.S. is the best country in the world, but this has not come alone and is not a simple gift. It also implies a responsibility", defended the Democratic candidate, who appealed to "the collaborative spirit, patriotism, volunteerism and desire for service invaded the entire nation "after the S11.
He called for efforts from the government to "recreate that spirit" and ensure that endures beyond the hard times, such as those experienced this country seven years ago, and thus pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the attacks.
"I think the country is hungry for that," Obama defended, and found that the U.S. president, George W. Bush has failed in that aspect.
If he were president, he explained, would try to convey to the public that since the S11, there are "new and great challenges" and that they must renew efforts to ensure the security of the country in all aspects.
"What makes America work is that we believe in individual responsibility, but also in each other, in the community, we are committed to something more than ourselves," said Obama and undertook to reinforce this thinking when it reaches the White House in the elections on November 4.
Among the audience were relatives of people who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, politicians and civic leaders, academics and students of this university New York.
The meeting will continue tomorrow and is expected participation of the U.S. first lady, Laura Bush, California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Senator Hillary Clinton of New York and artists in the music world as Alicia Keys and Jon Bon Jovi, among other speakers from public and private spheres in this country.
