Barack, in light of Wright, the 'bitter' speech, and the not-so-good Pennsylvania debate, and in light of the fast approaching North Carolina Primary, may I suggest a speech along the following lines?
"I am a white, working class, American. I'm also a black, working class American. That's my point. They are the same.
I'm not elite. With considerable sacrifice from my white family, and my own hard work, I made the Harvard Law Review. Isn't this the American Dream? Isn't this what we all want for ourselves, and for our kids?
But I've not forgotten my roots. That's why I spent 19 years working on the south side of Chicago. That's why I'm running for President.
I want the same dream for all Americans. I want them to realize Martin Luther King's Dream, too. Walking hand in hand.
The only thing that makes me angry is that instead of unity we have division - first in our Party and then in this Country.
We need unity to achieve the Dream for all.
But I will not become 'bitter' and distracted. I will not escape into the political equivalent of 'guns and religion,' what you know as negative campaigning!
I want a campaign we can all be proud of. I want a campaign we can all believe in. I want a Party we can all believe in. And I want a Country we can all be proud of. Whether we're white, black, red or brown; working class, or not. And we can do it!"
A little over-simplified, but you get the point. And Barack, you've made many of these points already. But perhaps you've been a little too scatter-shot, a tad too discursive?
It's time to get to the point. To get out of the classroom, and into the pulpit. To speak to your target audience in their own language.
You're a clever guy, surrounded by other clever people. You can fill in the gaps. If you need some help, I've got the full speech. Drop me a line in North Carolina. You know where I am.
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