The polls released after his speech that show declines were taken from polls done before he actually gave the speech. Similarly, the polls released just after the Wright scandal broke were taken before it broke. The question is: a week out from The Speech, will Obama’s numbers continues southward, stagnate, or go back up? Hard to say so far. What did YOU think of the speech? I thought it was excellent, riveting even. Whether or not you agree with the things he said, I think it can also be said that he’s right to emphasize that this whole issue is about much more than what some preacher said, or who Obama is, or the election–it cuts to the quick regarding race in America.

I’m inclined to think this: people who watched or read the speech in its entirety may or may not have been swayed overall, but come out with a greater appreciation of Obama as a person of great intelligence and courage. Those who watched/read only the snippets: meh.

You’re right about the chattering classes on the 24 hour news channels, though. What drives me batshit is the ADD on there. They’ve got constant news: why re-hash the exact same soundbites in each show? Why go to “expert” panels who are no more than an array of radio or other talk show hosts? Obama’s speech was on race: why not invite on people who have dedicated careers to its study? Why not put together a panel of people of different backgrounds to assess what they liked/disliked? Etc.? And why not go to such depth on all such issues?

Answer: profits, laziness, stupidity, vapidity, adherence to advertisers. If only we had an actual, functioning Fourth Estate.