If you think you really understand Objectivism then you can skip the speech, I guess, but there is a lot of stuff in there if you can be patient and stay focused.
I just don't feel like the speech (not the one in this article - but the 70 pager - for those who haven't seen my first post) is as well written as most of the rest of the book. Yes, it's rife with important information, and I've read it all piecemeal, but to read from beginning to end without feeling dejavu about ten times is impossible for me.
I do love to read AS, and much of the book is enthralling actually. But it has its faults, and the 70 page speech is one of them, in my opinion of course. :)