I am, as usual, late to this story. But wow. Watch this:
...and then his excellent response:
That first clip got a million views because everyone was so surprised he was educated on the issues. Sadness in that statement apart, this is an excellent, impassioned but reasoned, defense of why the Obama inspiration has caught - and why many educated young people take strong offense to the idea that we're caught up in a celebrity moment.
ETA: Holy wow.
This was a huge, important speech if only because it showed just how intricate and sophisticated Obama's understanding of these issues is. The Clinton campaign tries to dismiss Obama's superior speechgiving skills as an unworthy bar of his merits as a leader, but I am sorry, anyone who can communicate so thoughtfully, so powerfully, so inspirationally on such a hot button and emotional subject deserves a vote of confidence. Communication like this isn't only words and cadences, it's the product of long thought, mental readiness, and, yes, wisdom. This is the guy I want leading my country. I don't care if he's black, white, or fuschia. This is the guy. I've gone from tentative and on the fence (a few months ago) to full-hearted, full-throated, every-chance I get support. It is not the act of a blind, young, latte-sipping person who doesn't know better. It is the act of a young, educated, critical mind who thinks this world has such huge problems that we have to look to someone who never tries to call himself bigger than anyone of them. He only calls himself part of a solution. We need this kind of inspiration, and if it was coming from Sen. Clinton's camp I'd be all over her YouTube links too.
Several hours after this groundbreaking speech, btw, Sen. Clinton said she hadn't read it or seen it. I find that incredibly hard to believe when it has been dominating the news cycle all day. I do know, though, that dismissing this as just a good speech will be her tactic later. This wasn't a good speech; this was a seminal shift in the way politicians address race, and one that did it while maintaining grace, composure, and the ideals of the people he wishes to lead. I want this man to lead our country.
