Obama and McCain Schedule Sept. 11 Meet-Up on PBS

In their first joint appearance since the party conventions, Presidential nominees John McCain and Barack Obama will discuss in-depth their views on service and civic engagement in the post-9/11, post-Katrina world during the primetime “ServiceNation Presidential Candidates Forum” on the evening of September 11 at Columbia University in the City of New York.

The Forum is being organized by ServiceNation, a dynamic new coalition of 110 organizations that has a collective reach of some 100 million Americans and is dedicated to strengthening our democracy and solving problems through civic engagement and service.

PBS NewsHour Senior Correspondent and Political Editor Judy Woodruff will join previously announced moderator Richard Stengel, managing editor of TIME, to question the candidates—who will appear separately—about their views on the meaning and importance of service.

“I am so pleased that my colleague Judy Woodruff will be there with me to moderate this historic event,” said Stengel. “This forum, timed to the anniversary of one of the greatest challenges our country has faced, is an opportunity for the next President to explain how the ideal of service fits into his vision for America.”

"The ServiceNation summit and the broader efforts to promote service across our great country will undoubtedly help millions of Americans and bring our communities closer together," said Woodruff. "I look forward to helping facilitate a serious discussion of the role service can play in determining what kind of country we live in.”

The in-depth, back-to-back interviews will begin at 8:00 p.m. ET before a live audience of September 11 family members, military veterans, thought leaders, and Columbia University students. New York Governor David Paterson will welcome the audience before the start of the event.