If Obama's speech worked, it's because he was able to address
matters head on. Was Obama dismissing American ethnics resentful of
welfare and affirmative action as racists? Or did he suggest that
their resentments were understandable, no less so than the "anger
in the black community" he mentioned? Jim is so right in his
assessment of Obama's genius, not to mention the blinders many of
the right are wearing in reaction to the speech (as I've noticed
both on Fox and in listening to Rush). Let's not forget that
conservatives were the last people he was addressing in his
pre-Pennsylvania primary remarks. In purely liberal terms, he was
saying things no other Democratic candidate would dare utter, and
assuming a more intelligent audience than a pol normally does. Best
of all for him, given time and the right forum, he was able to
return to his strengths. He was the center of huge attention.
When's the last time Hillary enjoyed such an unchallenged
moment?