As a hispanic, foreign born (in fact, not a citizen -yet?) investment banker I come perhaps from a different perspective than the typical democrat or the typical American (white, black or brown) listening to this speech. I assume I'm more cynical and less prone to believing in the inherent perfectability of the American Union than most of you.
Yet, this speech moved me very deeply. In fact, I'm inclined to believe that the relevance of this speech goes beyond what most commentators are making it to be.
I have read the commentaries about how this speech is about electoral tactics, about striking a balance between distancing Obama from Wright's statements and not alienating his black constituents.
This speech was surely about all those things. In fact, I think it did a great, nay, an excellent job of achieving those tactical goals.
Will it work to avoid Obama's branding as the "black candidate"? I don't know, but after today, I am heartened enough that even if the swift boaters of today or tomorrow succeed in blocking an Obama win, I believe that the seeds planted by Obama today will flourish and that this speech and the dialogue that I hope it will spark in America will be remembered as another milestone in the way towards a more perfect union.
What I heard today went far beyond mere political tactics. I heard bravery, transparency, at times brutal honesty and (yes) hope.
I am not prone to hyperbole, but I think that long after the McCains or the Bushes or even the Clintons (and let me clarify that I think Bill Clinton was one of the best US Presidents in recent memory) are forgotten as a footnote in American history, this milestone will be remembered by future generations.