i think shaking raul castro's hand was a sign of respect for the day, and mandela's memory. he had to pass in front of him to make it to the lecturn, and shining him on would have really made him look like a dink.
i saw the speech live, i had got up to put more wood in the fire and took a peek and saw what was unfolding. when obama first entered the stadium, the roar was incredible. then he gave a phenomenal speech that had everyone on their feet.
the line from that jack nicholson movie "he made me want to be a better man" and using the native language word for "interconnectedness" about brought the place down. no question he was on his "A" game.