Early this morning, I finally got a chance to sit down at the computer and watch Sen. Obama’s entire 40-minute speech (while reading along). I thought it was a wonderful speech, and it sets up a discussion that our country needs. And, thanks to Barack Obama, more of the country is ready to participate in "The Discussion". Moving beyond hate - racial and otherwise - is essential to making our country and our world a better place.

I have yearned for that Discussion, and have tried in my small ways to hasten the day when we could have it, and when we could take real steps to improving our society. But, however strong my yearning, I am still supporting Sen. Clinton for the Democratic nomination. I believe that she will be a great leader for our country and that she is the best prepared to be President. Those qualities have to be my primary concern.

Sen. Obama has already done a great deal in kicking The Discussion to a new level. Whether he wins or loses the Democratic nomination - whether he wins or loses the Presidency - this Discussion is going to continue, and Sen. Obama will be in position to move The Discussion forward.

It is a great speech, but I also feel that it is not going to accomplish his secondary (or, was it the primary) goal - to undo the political damage that the Rev. Wright sermons had done to his campaign. For two reasons:

--(1) He declined to explain whether and how he tried to combat the (somewhat understandable) bitterness/hatred/etc. that he - and his children - experienced at the church. This point goes a little toward the how-could-you-stay-at-the-church question (which I took issue with last week, stating that there are many reasons people belong to a church/temple/etc), but it is more: he could have demonstrated that he had tried to bring healing close to home - speaking with his children after a sermon, or Rev. Wright, and other church goers. There is no evidence of that, and I think that many people have - perhaps, even subconsciously - taken note of that; and

--(2) I think that there are STILL too many people (yes, even Democrats) who are going to react only to Rev. Wright’s sermons and not to Sen. Obama’s counter-sermon(s). Whatever analogy you want to use: Pandora’s Box, genie in the bottle, cat in the bag.

Sen. Obama acknowledged yesterday that he and his candidacy are not perfect; noone is, no campaign is. A lot of people jumped off of the Obama Train when Rev. Wright’s sermons hit the mass media. As good as this speech was, I think it was not good enough to get most of them back on.

These last two weeks have given us an opportunity to continue reducing intolerance. Whether or not Sen. Obama is the Democratic nominee, I hope that he continues to lead The Discussion and the improvements that should follow.