I am a black woman and I listened to Al Gore's speech to the NAACP. What I heard was a man reacting to the enthusiasm of his audience, no more, no less. I'm sure that many white people have been inspired by the energy and speaking style of great black leaders and Al Gore is no different. He is also a politician and it shouldn't be some big surprise or a big deal that he sounded enthusiastic and inspired when he spoke to a group of people who obviously support his cause and who will play a critical role in getting him elected this fall. Don't read more into it than necessary and please give Al a break. Would you prefer that he'd gotten up there and been his usual wooden self? I prefer this version.

-- Tanya Clements

I don't need to listen to the audio clips to know that Al Gore puts on a little show when he talks to black audiences. I saw the NAACP speech and the debate in Harlem and I haven't heard a caricature of an African-American voice like that since "Amos 'n' Andy." It's borderline offensive and I can't believe he gets away with it. Dubya certainly wouldn't get away with it. I suppose Gore is trying to add some excitement to the speech, but I for one am embarrassed for him every time I hear him take on the "soul voice."

-- Dave Connell

I think you people need a reality check. If you watch Al Gore and really listen to him he is a spirited speaker. The spin is he is stiff and boring when all he wants to do is talk issues

I am from California and grew up in San Francisco and I had lots of black friends ... and guess what, when you get around them you get their spirit ... by osmosis ... it just happens! Al Gore is no different than any other person who loves the colorful spirit of our black brothers and sisters of America.

-- C. Hildreth

Having been born in Arkansas and living there until I was 20, I am particularly sensitive to Southern accents and the nuances of the "language." For years I have noted the difference when a white person speaks to a black person and is trying to "make points" with their "acceptance and open-mindedness." Their voice rises a bit, they become more animated, laughing a bit more, in my opinion attempting to say, "Hey, look everyone, I'm talking to a black just like he is white." It's the same when an adult speaks to a child or a dog. The adult's voice changes. I try to speak to all children over 1 year old with the same voice as I would an adult.

When I am in a group of people of mixed races I can always detect with my eyes closed if they are speaking to a black person. It makes me cringe because if I can hear the difference, I'm sure the black person feels it. Al Gore is the biggest pandering and patronizing person I have seen in years. I pray that blacks can see through it.

-- Ila Richardson

What a dumb lead for an article. Of course he adopts preacher-style cadences when he speaks to black audiences. Ask a few black people. They know, and they don't mind. Al himself would admit as much, and so would his aides.

This seems to be about white liberals who are uncomfortable with someone like Gore being direct and emotional. Yes, it's contrived, but so was the style of Martin Luther King Jr. Do you think that King spoke that way when he asked for a cup of coffee?

-- Bennett Charles

After listening to the last 10 minutes of the NAACP speech, I have come to the conclusion that this guy will do, say, perform any act (even a monkey act like he did before the NAACP) to spread his venom and lies and to destroy the racial harmony which exists today for his own selfish and greedy power needs.

This is a dangerous liar who must be firmly repudiated by blacks and whites at the polls --I fear for this country if he ever becomes president.

-- R. Brown

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