Just got home--what's the consensus on Obama's speech?

[Unsane]

How's the media playing it? Drudge has a headline seemingly very supportive of him (incidentally, Drudge hasn't been pumping the Wright story that much at all, which is odd). Hardball/Matthews is fawning over Sen. Obama. I think the speech can only help him. Does this mitigate some of the damage Wright does? I feel if the media really supports this speech, it will temper the GOP's desire to use Wright as a talking point.

[babylonsister]

1. Go look at the greatest; he hit a homer! nt

[thevoiceofreason]

2. Major strides

We won't know if it's over til it's over. But this speech was a major work.

[SteppingRazor]

3. Matthews apparently called it the greatest speech on race ever...

like, ever. In American history. Period.

I mean, I thought it was a really great speech -- one of the best from one of the best orators of our time -- but whew! Mattews might be overdoing it just a teeny weeny bit.

[Unsane]

5. Agreed. I mean it was good,

but let's not get carried away. It's not like MLK or something.

[Drachasor]

9. In some ways it spoke to the realities of the situtation better than MLK's speech, imho

Not that MLK's speech wasn't awesome, by any means, but I can see how someone could say Obama's speech was better. I think they are both in the same league.

[SteppingRazor]

18. To which MLK speech are you referring?

If you're talking about "I Have a Dream," then I very respectfully disagree. Again, I'm not saying Obama didn't have a fantastic speech here. But go back and check out MLK's speech on YouTube or something. It's essentially perfect. You can go back and listen to it again and again, and it's unbelievably stirring every time. I mean, it's downright weird.

Now, I'm certainly open to the idea that this speech, if we were to rank these things, would be up there with some of MLK's speeches. But I think there are a couple by MLK, Frederick Douglass and a few others that I'd still put above this, out in the stratosphere, even if we were limiting our list solely to speeches about race.

[Drachasor]

30. I was talking about "I Have a Dream"

And Obama's speech arguably speaks to people of all races in a superior manner. I am not saying "I Have a Dream" wasn't awesome and extraordinarily meaningful. I am merely saying there is a decent argument that Obama's speech was better in some respects.

[SteppingRazor]

32. Right on.

I think you're certainly making a valid argument, particularly since reaction to the speech and criticism thereof is somewhat subjective -- there's not truly a "right answer." Although, my real reaction to the whole debate is that "ranking" speeches like this is essentially a fool's errand. Apples and oranges and all that. :hi:

[Drachasor]

33. I completely concur

Just thought I'd defend Matthews' perspective.

[tekisui]

14. I would say perhaps the greatest speech on race by a Presidential Candidate.

The leading Presidential Candidate.

I heard more truth and honesty on race in that speech, than I have ever heard from a National politician.

[SteppingRazor]

22. I might be able to agree with that one.

I'm not as familiar with the complete oratory of JFK and RFK as I would like to be to offer a definitive answer. But to my limited knowledge, this is the best speech on race relations that I have heard from a frontrunning presidential candidate. Certainly, it's the best one of my lifetime.

[Drachasor]

4. We know it is awesome and groundbreaking -- we don't know how it will play with the people

That'll take time to see how the polls change (we'll have to watch over the next week or two). Some people will try to say the "know" the outcome, but I don't think that's possible at this juncture. I certainly hope it repairs things and people can see beyond a handful of statements Wright made. The speech talked openly and honestly about Affirmative Action* and many other things (for both blacks, whites, and others), which was really significant.

*Personally, I think he has a huge point here. Affirmative Action tries to fix things from the top down, when the real long-term solution has to focus on fixing inner cities and schools. Affirmative Action is better than nothing, but it is far from ideal.

[Mooney]

6. I thought it was great, but

apparently, according to some people here, I'm wrong, and the speech will foment a race war.

[tekisui]

7. The media likes it.

It was great. I never thought I would hear a Presidential Candidate speak such a candid truth on race in this country.

If this speech doesn't change the dialog from Wright, nothing will.

[chknltl]

8. Here is an MSNBC poll that you can also check out.:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5138827

[rucky]

10. It exceeded all expectations.

others say it's going to spark a race war.

[Unsane]

35. wtf

[rucky]

36. ...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=5139420&mesg_id=5139420

[Johnny__Motown]

11. Uberness,everyone who is not a hater loved it (and even some who are)

[rndmprsn]

12. so far so good on DU anyhow...getting home in about an hour...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5143280

[PassingFair]

13. Thanks be to PROGRESSIVE RADIO!!!!

I heard it during the Stephanie Miller show.

Unfortunately, they cut away for commercials,
and I had a meeting I had to go into.

I just watched the speech in it's entirety (?),
I think there was a chunk missing on YouTube.

I made my "race uncomfortable" Mother watch it with me (last week
she thought Obama was MUSLIM, because that's what
the ladies at church and in her knitting club told
her, I kid you not!).

She was FLOORED! She LOVED IT, but it did make
her squirm at parts.

She will be voting for Obama in the general, AND
in the primary or caucus if we get a "re-do" here
in Michigan.

[apocalypsehow]

15. The racists don't like it - everyone else agrees it was a fantastic, moving address.

:thumbsup:

[AlinPA]

29. The racists and Fox "News" don't like it.

[LSparkle]

16. He has very gracefully opened a door ... so that we can walk through

but WE have to make that choice. It took guts to "tell it like it is" but that's what he did,
in a very statesmanlike, non-threatening manner. I hope we as a nation are willing to go on the
journey with him.

[Cheap_Trick]

17. freepers and hillbots hated it

so it must've been good.

[apocalypsehow]

25. "freepers and hillbots" - Is there a distinction? I'm having a damn hard time finding one lately.

n/t.

[uponit7771]

19. It gets some votes as historic...the speech is up there on that level

[Noirceuil]

20. The consensus on DU...

Most of the people here say they heard the speech and fell to their knees and cried. Others say they fainted, revived themselves and then cried. These bizarre histrionics aside, it was really just a modification of his standard stump speech and an attempt to save his campaign.

[metsqueenz]

21. Drudge has been very kind to Obama throughout the campaign

Drudge has a big heart deep inside. I don't know why he's so vilified.

[olkaz]

24. Uh, not really

He was the one showing the "Dressed" Obama photo.

[Arugula Latte]

26. Oh, come now. You're going to have to do better than that if you want to stick around here

for, like, more than a day.

:rofl:

[Drachasor]

31. Didn't he say the Russians removed the WMDs from Iraq in 2004?

I remember someone showing me that from his website. I don't consider him a viable news source -- in that sense I vilify him.

[loveangelc]

23. Obama's gotten favorable press except from regular right wing ppl.

[AlinPA]

27. I assume Fox "News" would say that he embraced the pastor's words and that Obama

fiercely defended the statements and refused to condemn the offensive remarks.

[meow mix]

28. he did it. and then some..

very glad here..

[stillcool]

34. I like the way the Rude Pundit put it....

// posted by Rude One
Bottom line: that was a motherfuckin' speech by a motherfuckin' President of the United States. You remember what that's like? No, not here either.
http://rudepundit.blogspot.com/

[MaryCeleste]

37. All over the map...predisposition ruled the day

If you like Obama it was wonderful
If you like Hillary it was neutral to a minor down
If you are Rush Limbaugh you probaby got enough sound bites for a week

Seriously, I don't think its going to matter much. The lines are already drawn and staffed