The American Spectator

The Spectacle Blog

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?