Do you believe Obama's speech was as important as the talking heads say it was?

[Perky]

Poll question: Do you believe Obama's speech was as important as the talking heads say it was?

I thought the speech was great but I have been stunned at the reaction of the pundits. How about you?

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

1. It's television... everything has to be the most important thing that ever happened.

Otherwise, who would watch?

As a speech, it was wonderful.

As history, the idea that this was the most important speech on race in 45 years is sort of odd because it's a damage control campaign event. It's like saying JFK's Catholic speech was the most important thing anyone ever said about religion.

As politics, it doubtless helped sew up the nomination. On the down-side, it suggested Obama has been dissembling about Wright for a while, and establishes him as, "that guy who talks about race."

[BlueJazz]

2. It was nice to say...and all that but...What's the Big Deal?

It's like saying "If you exercise and eat right, you'll have a healthier Life."

Ah...Yeah...Did you just learn that???...We've known that for Decades.....

[flor de jasmim]

3. For someone who was a teen in the 60s...

I can say that it is not hyperbole to classify this as one of the very best speeches since that time. One of the points Obama makes is that the younger generation views life and the struggles between the races in an entirely different way from those who came before.

When I was 10 there was a black girl in my class and I invited her to come to my house. Her response: "Why?" It wasn't that she didn't like me, but she had never been invited to anyone's house before and couldn't figure out why I was asking.

[saltpoint]

4. Best since Dr. King.

[BringBigDogBack]

6. I agree.

[TheFarseer]

5. Highlighting race only hurts him

it doesn't matter that it was a good speech - which it most certainly was.

[Muttocracy]

7. what do you mean? it's not like it's a secret he's multiracial?

is there a certain attitude you're assuming about the Americans listening?

[TheFarseer]

9. as for the people I know,

they do not like talking about race. Getting called a racist is quite off-putting and it seems like that always happens everytime someone talks about race. Trust me, nothing good can come of continuing down this road.

[Muttocracy]

11. ok, I'm not sure I agree, but thanks for explaining

I can sort of see your point that it's stirring up issues that may make people very uncomfortable. On the other hand, the cat's long been out of the bag, especially the last few weeks, so this may have helped things move on. At least I hope we can move on to other issues. Not that race isn't important, but there are lots of other things under the direct control of the next president and I hope we'll get back to those soon. Cheers.

[Muttocracy]

8. Well, listening to my candidate, Biden...

If I trust his judgement, I'll have to vote somewhere on the very important side of the scale:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080318/ap_on_el_pr/obama_race

Obama's speech also drew praise from one of his former Democratic presidential rivals who has not endorsed him or Clinton. Delaware Sen. Joe Biden called it powerful, truthful and "one of most important speeches we've heard in a long time"

"He told the story of America — both the good and the bad — and I believe his speech will come to represent an important step forward in race relations in our country," Biden said.

[Cha]

12. Wow, thanks for ..It's good to see

that Senator Biden liked it so much for those reasons.

[better tomorrow]

10. but the microphones were horrible......

Such a great speech to have on record and the mics were lousy.....