I expect people will view Obama's speech along partisan lines. If you're a Democrat you'll be wowed by it; vice versa if you're a Republican. I do agree it probably was a speech he would have preferred not to have to give. He's wanted to stay above the fray and not let race come into the equation, but the reverand thing forced his hand. Ultimately I think he would have had to give it though. I just heard a poll that gave numbers for the percentage of people in America who won't vote for him or any other candidate simply because they're black. There is a racial divide out there, and and he's been forced to acknowledge it. Frankly I'm suprised the reverand thing has become so big. Haven't we all at some point been in church where a political stance was taken that is not in keeping with our views? Obama is runnng here, not his former pastor.