Obama's Speech on Race in America

Brilliant, emotional, commanding and very presidential address today from Barack Obama. He spoke about race in the United States in the wake of the Rev. Wright firestorm.

I was totally moved by his analysis and I think he put out the fire that was threatening to burn his campaign. What I really liked and what I think made him appear most presidential was how he called the black/white problem in America a stalemate which to me sounds similar to the red/blue state divide or the 50/50 congressional divide which each prevent us from getting things done. That comparison brings Obama's talk back into a political context for me and it drives home precicely why I want Obama in office more than I'd want Clinton or McCain. Obama repeatedly demonstrates that he is running to be a coalition builder, a uniter, not a fighter. Clinton and McCain brand themselves as fighers, and respectfully they have each fought important fights that needed to be fought. But now I'm ready for diplomacy. I think American voters are ready for the make up after the fight, and that is what Obama's candidacy represents to me.

Here is the full transcript of the speech.

Here is the video: