The general case: Chautauqua lectures are serious and useful, long enough to get at something, and they're not obsessed (a la the commonwealth club etc) with having the most powerful folks around.

The specific case: This is an enormously powerful talk by Spitzer, who is possibly the brightest and msot interesting public official in america. He speaks rigorously, clearly, and completely without condescension. A wonderful talk, despite the lame title. Spitzer/Obama in 2012!