I think simply Obama recognizing what, unbelievably, many people on this forum failed too, that Wright's comments were indeed "too far", divisive, and not in keeping with Obama's tone or message.
I think most of us recognized it, and were curious to see what he'd do with it. He went a little further than Jesse's famous "repudiate the message" toss-line.
If this speech ends up carrying real weight, it stands the risk of being the first day of the shutdown of some cottage industries in race-baiting on both ends of the spectrum. I can't believe that would be a bad result for anybody.
Although some commentators might think it's the exact same thing as Nixon talking about his dog.