Gladwell wasn't even correctly identifying the period in which Cronkite got those high poll numbers. Those polls occurred during the 1970's and 1980's, long after the "Norman Rockwell" period that Gladwell was obsessing over.

What a great way to unwittingly prove the point of those arguing in the affirmative: that people like Gladwell are so ensconced in their bubble, that they have no idea how petty and silly these unfounded accusations of racism sound to most people. He kept hammering and harping on that point because it plays well in his circle of NYC elites.