Much as I admire Dr. Williams writing, I'd disagree here.
Baraq's election was more a testament to the MSM/SCM failing to report what he was really all about.
I'd have to go with a yes and a no (which sounds like a Democrat woman).
I do believe that Americans on the whole have "essential goodness", and more so than any other cultural group on Earth.
There are a lot of reasons for this but the condition is an emotional response, when engaged, Americans will tend to opt to try to "do good" as an immediate emotional reaction to a situation. They don't always think analytically or investigate the worth of the presentation.
On the opposite, Americans are probably the most spoiled and mis educated group on Earth, especially in blue states. Such a people are easily manipulated by appeal to envy and guilt, and will act like idiots when so manipulated.
the MSM/SCM failing to report
The MSM/SCM didn't FAIL, the succeeded grandly in exactly what they intended to do.