I never believed Obama to be a great speaker in 2008. As you say, he read speeches well enough. But his speeches were nothing but fluff, and completely avoided his nasty socialist ideals with the BS "hope and change."
Otherwise, It became a sort of mass delusion. The media created the narrative that Obama was a great speaker. The cliche stuck. Opponents like John McCain, who felt they had to treat Obama with kid gloves, glommed onto that cliche as a way to praise him without mentioning his race or policies. Stupidity all around.
Well said, and a perfect characterization.
When you have 99% cheerleading from the MSM it's difficult to look bad, but I think Baraq has done it lately.