( CNN ) -- `` When hardship hits , America is at its best . The petty differences that consume us in normal times quickly melt away . There are no Democrats or Republicans during a storm -- only fellow Americans . '' -- President Barack Obama . `` The problems we need to overcome now are not bigger than we are . We can defeat them . I am offering real change and a real choice . '' -- Mitt Romney . In the final days of the presidential campaign , President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney offered their visions for America in op-ed columns on CNN . The candidates shared their optimism about the country 's future and described how their visions had shaped their policies . You can read both columns on the CNN Opinion page . The columns sparked a passionate conversation that ran through the weekend . The columns had almost 19,000 comments , and more than 300 iReport users shared their reactions . There was a fair amount of partisan bickering , but some commenters took the opportunity to share what they were voting for in this election instead of focusing on the negative . Others , such as South Carolina college student Byron Thomas and Fubao Wang , a naturalized citizen in Pennsylvania , offered their own visions for America . We 've collected a sampling of the conversation in the gallery above . You can share your vision for America in the comments or post your thoughts on CNN iReport . Compiled by the CNN moderation staff . Some comments edited for length or clarity .
Barack Obama and Mitt Romney 's comments sparked a passionate discussion . Some readers defended their political choices ; others offered their own visions . Share your vision for America in the Post or post your views at CNN iReport .