That is a good comment; I hadn't thought of the "angry black man" angle. But let me ask something else:

What could Obama have said about the mortgage crisis, or Russia/Georgia, that wouldn't have been falling into a trap? He is trying to get elected, and I have to say that being hesitant and vague on those things is probably the best thing to do in that instance. Nothing he, or anyone, could have said would have mollified anyone.

My guess is this: The Republicans showed their hand at the convention; Obama knows exactly how they are going to come at him. My hope is that he is preparing for this and ready to give McCain a sound thumping at the debates, and carry that energy to election day. After all, that is where Bill Clinton looked his strongest: turning GOP platitudes about "tax & spend liberals" on their ear to his opponents' face.