GOP presidential candidate John McCain (left) greets his Democratic opponent, Barack Obama, at a forum on national service at Columbia University on Sept. 11. (Stephan Savoia/AP)
McCain, Obama pledge to boost US volunteerism
Obama would expand federal service efforts; McCain would rely more on private sector.
By Alexandra Marks | Staff writer/ September 12, 2008 edition
New York
Barack Obama wants to make government “cool again” to encourage young people to serve and leverage volunteerism in communities across the country. John McCain wants to “inspire” people to serve a cause “greater than their own self interest” and encourage businesses to support employees who do public service.
In a rare congenial evening during this increasingly acrimonious campaign, the two presidential candidates agreed that the American heritage of volunteerism and selfless service is part of what makes this country “exceptional.”
Both also pledged to make the encouragement of national service one of their top priorities if elected and to expand AmeriCorps, the federal government’s community-service program.
Each even went so far as to pledge to appoint the other to a “cabinet level” position to oversee national service, although Senator McCain then hedged about creating yet another cabinet level position.
This unusual show of unity came Thursday evening, the seventh anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks at a summit at Columbia University in New York. It was sponsored by ServiceNation, a coalition of groups dedicated to restoring what it calls the nation’s “great tradition of citizen service.” The movement was inspired by the families of the 9/11 victims. They are determined that the day be remembered not just for the loss of lives and tragedy when the Twin Towers came down, but also for the extraordinary outpouring of humanity that followed.
“Flash back to how you felt in the days and weeks after 9/11,” says Jay Winuk, who lost his brother Glenn and is now the vice president and cofounder of MyGoodDeed.org. “As a nation, we need to embrace that and put it to good and sustained use.”
And so to kick off a two-day summit dedicated to “an America that is ruggedly idealistic, compassionate, and above all committed to the idea of shared sacrifice” – in the words of the ServiceNation’s website – it brought together the two men who want to lead the country.
Each was eager to talk about his own life of service – in the military and in communities hard hit by job losses. And each praised the other’s history of service. McCain even called Senator Obama’s “record there outstanding,” despite repeated efforts by his campaign to disparage “community organizing.”
Then each laid out very different visions for how they’d change the country to encourage a renaissance of selflessness.
Obama pledged that “service” will be central to his administration. He’d encourage young people to take up careers in public service and the government (thus, making it “cool.”) He’d do it in part by passing a $3.5 billion national-service program that would expand AmeriCorps and the Peace Corps as well as provide tax credits of up to $4,000 year to help underwrite college educations in exchange for public service. He’d also significantly expand the all-volunteer army, beef up veterans’ educational and health benefits, and create a kind of civilian corps that could take over some of the Army’s current civic tasks in war-torn regions around the world.
In explaining his goal, Obama recalled the outpouring of “patriotism, emotion, volunteerism, and a desire for service” that occurred after 9/11.
“The question is: How do we recreate that spirit – not just during times of tragedy, not just during 9/11 – how do we honor those who died and those who sacrificed – the firefighters and police officers … every day?” Obama told a crowd of about a thousand at a packed Columbia University auditorium. Outside, thousands of students watched on a huge screen. “The country yearns for that, the country is hungry for it, and what has been missing is a president and a White House that taps into that in a serious way.”
McCain, too, says “a call to serve” would be central in his administration. In the aftermath of 9/11, he says he would have tapped the outpouring of energy by creating a “concrete action plan,” such as urging people to join neighborhood watch groups. He’d also beef up the volunteer Army and encourage young people to serve. In a surprising criticism of Columbia University, he chastised it for not allowing ROTC on campus.
“The best way to commemorate and to show our appreciation – and love and sympathy for the families of those who’ve sacrificed – is to serve our country. That way we can assure their families it will never happen again,” he says. “It’s also probably the best way … to keep their memory alive by protecting the lives of those fellow citizens who were unable to experience it first hand but are in danger.”
McCain would also expand the Corporation for National and Community Service, which administers AmeriCorps and the nation’s handful of other volunteer programs. He says he would “be glad to spend some money,” but he wasn’t specific and made it clear he’d rely primarily on private industry and volunteer organizations to bolster volunteerism.
Comments
2. I warn thee | 09.12.08
Internships, volunteerism, altruism and such terms are references to a bankrupt gov’t. They can’t afford to pay you, thus decide they will take your service for free, to provide you with experience. However, employers aren’t interested often in free service you have done, but that derived through “gainful” employment.
Beware, this might help local governments minimize their budget crisis, and have fewer people competing for prime jobs, making the unemployment figures look better. It is only a deception.
Unless you can offer me convincing evidence, this popular notion is merely another crazy idea from very desperate men in politics.
Tell these clowns to give up their fancy homes (both Barack “Rezko” Obama, and Mr. “Can’t Remember How Many Homes I have” McCain), their life-savings, and their reputations with big money, and start volunteering!
The ship is sinking, so the Captain and his crew are making it cool to swim.
What do you think?
3. nick | 09.12.08
Fellow Citizens:
I encourage all of you to watch the CNN interview for yourselves. The totality of the event is not receiving nearly the coverage it deserves and this article also does not go nearly far enough in describing the revealing nature of the interview. The difference between the world-views of the candidates is striking.
McCain seems consumed by issues of war, military, and wants to outsource the government’s role wherever possible. Obama sees civil service as the answer to many of America’s issues with an “all hands on deck approach,” emphasizing united efforts of the private and public realms and a commitment to civic responsibility. “There’s plenty of work,” says Obama, but the government needs to “assist” those looking to contribute so that they can find a role to fill, whether that be military or civilian, public or private.
Truly an excellent format — well done CNN.
4. lucy2008 | 09.12.08
I actually watched and listened to these talks given yesterday for ServiceNation by both of the candidates. Your article is fundamentally inaccurate. Did you listen to these candidates yesterday? Did you read their policies? Senator McCain has a rather ambiguous policy now and hardly spoke about this during the primary. Senator Obama has a well-developed service policy with many details. This was reflected in the candidates discussions during this event. Please check your facts.
At the very least, please read Senator Obama’s call to service program and policy on his website and the additional pdf he provides for the day. Senator Obama’s program involves both government and private group involvement including religious organizations. He has promoted that for many years, it is part of his own service and part of his program. That is probably the most glaring outright misrepresentation. It is a central part of his message. If this isn’t part of your article, you are clearly not understanding what is going on.
This is a very important election year. Verifying your facts and representing the two candidates truthfully even when you have an opinion is your professional duty and duty to your country.
5. Chris | 09.12.08
Watch out for those Evangelical party volunteers.
But something of greater concern to all Americans is the Nazi like tactics of the Evangelical party, the party of the anti-christ.
VOTING MANIPULATION
State Republicans in Macomb Co, Michigan, though, have a plan to give the McCain campaign an edge: suppress the vote.
The chairman of the Republican Party in Michigan, a key swing county in a key swing state, is planning to use a list of foreclosed homes to block people from voting in the upcoming election as part of the GOP’s effort to challenge voters on Election Day. “We will have a list of foreclosed homes and will make sure people aren’t voting from those addresses,” party chairman James Carabelli told the local paper in a telephone interview earlier this week.
State election rules allow parties to assign “election challengers” to polls to monitor the election. These volunteers can challenge the eligibility of any voter provided they “have a good reason to believe” that the person is not eligible to vote.”
The Michigan Republicans’ planned use of foreclosure lists is apparently an attempt to challenge ineligible voters as not being “true residents.”
The scheme would, of course, disproportionately affect African-American families in the area, who are more likely to vote Democratic, and more likely to be in foreclosure as a result of sub-prime loans.
This is just part of a “comprehensive voter-challenge campaign” Michigan Republicans are launching this year, which will coordinate with the regional McCain campaign to train volunteers in challenging those who wish to vote on Election Day.
Asked about the GOP’s efforts, Carabelli said, “I would rather not tell you all the things we are doing.”
THEY DID THIS TO SOLDIERS SERVING IN IRAQ IN 2004.
6. Snerdguy | 09.12.08
I can believe that Mr. McCain is clueless about how today’s youth are connected by the Internet. But, I fail to understand why Mr. Obama is playing ignorant. Working for the government is not considered to be cool regardless of weather it’s volunteer or civil service work. Among young and older adults, the general consensus is that the government is just plain BROKEN.
This has been a topic of Internet discussions for years now. I as well as countless others believe that the government is thoroughly corrupted to the such a point that it barely does more than serve itself. There is not one agency that remains untouched by internal politics and pointless bureaucracy. As a retired federal employee, I can tell you that it was rare to go home at the of the day feeling like I accomplished anything and frankly, it is well known that, as an employer, the federal government treats it’s workforce like a bunch of cattle and it can’t even hold on to the best and brightest workers.
So, Mr. McCain and Mr. Obama, you both need to get a reality check, if not a whopping kick in the butt.
7. Lisa Trank | 09.12.08
I find it very interesting that McCain attends a ’service’ event that gets a great deal of press, lauding the virtues of being ‘called to serve,’ while just two weeks ago, his Alaskan pit bull with lipstick, sneered at ‘community organizers’ such as Barack Obama.
John McCain wants it both ways and the country will suffer for it.
8. seano | 09.12.08
Does this mean the Republcans are suddenly now lauding and not laughing at community organizers?
9. Peggy McGilligan | 09.12.08
OMG! They’re back. I had no sooner reported The Democratic National Committee consigned to the dumper, than it popped up again that very night at the 9-11 Forum On Public Service & Civic Engagement. Held at Columbia University, Richard Stengel, managing editor of TIME moderated the forum, staged by Service Nation, “a new nationwide coalition.” The DNC reemerged as The [International] Provisional People’s Collective Party, or PCP. And, guess what the PCP has in store: Political Officers, Commissars. The title Commissar refers to either a People’s Commissar (government), or a Political Commissar (military). 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. Compulsory Public Service is the future. All men will be judged politically; anti-Marxist sentiment will be crushed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC2Bk8f8plU&feature=related But we first require a state organ with which to train the political functionaries who hold coequal rank and authority. Welcome comrade, to Hillary’s National Public Service Academy: http://theseedsof9-11.com
10. old mo | 09.12.08
If Mr. Obama is going to put the nation’s young people to work, what is he going to do with the nations ghettos ? How is he going to entice them to work ? It’s a known fact (even without the damn republican smear machine) that Chicago has the worst ghettos in the world. Now I don give a hoot who is president Obama or McCain BFD the president is nothing but a figure head, a puppet of big business anyway. Just as soon as they are elected they will turn from preacher to politician. It matters not which one. It just too me that the average American (if there is such anymore) is getting damn sick of making a living for those that depend on his tax money. “I ain’t gonna work cause my daddy didn’t have to”. What is Obama going to do to change these people’s mind ? Or is the ACLU and the NAACP going to stop him from doing anything ? After all they have their rights.
11. woman citizen | 09.12.08
I head McCain say that he was for service via any mechanism but the mandatory government kind. I assumed when he mentioned faith based, he would earmark money for their use.
I heard Obama say billions of dollars and that all should serve not the few.I heard draft.
B.O. would have to draft to have someone to command around as Commander in Chief, since he himself has no clue how the military works, few will volunteer with him at the helm.
12. T Bergerson | 09.12.08
With the need to cut costs in the government, why don’t we go back to the biginning when our Congress was truely volunteers. Wouldn’t we then have a spend-thrifty Congress??? They talk about volunteerism among us and I ask why not among them?
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1. Long Time Observer | 09.12.08
Volunteerism will only return in force when the stench of waste, fraud, abuse and lies in government abates. What volunteerism needs is REAL CHANGE in government.