After Barack Obama’s big get-me-off-the-hook speech last week, am I still predicting Al Gore as the Democratic nomineee (and then, easy victor in November)? readers are asking.

More than ever. Obama is unelectable. Bob Novak seems to agree.

Obama’s problem is that furor over Wright has reached beyond voters normally interested in political controversies. Over the last week, nonpolitical people have repeatedly asked me about Obama’s connection with Wright’s tirade. In the process, Obama’s political persona has been altered — transformed, as described by one friendly Chicago politician, from Harvard Law Review to South Side activist.

Hillary’s unelectability will be come ever more obvious as the nomination approaches. Democrats are evil, but not stupid. Gore’s a shoo-in.

The next question is: Who will be Gore’s running mate? Obviously it’s going to need to be someone seriously black. My best guess would be Deval Partick.

O’Bama, Patrick … boy those Chicago Irish are really coming into their own, aren’t they?