In that speech, Obama said he's "committed to renewing the alliance between our nations and the friendship between our people." He added, "Some people have asked me if I chose to continue my travels to Ankara and Istanbul to send a message to the world." His answer: yes. "Turkey is a critical ally. Turkey is an important part of Europe. And Turkey and the United States must stand together -- and work together -- to overcome the challenges of our time." Obama also discussed his race when talking about minority rights in Turkey. "I say this as the President of a country that not too long ago made it hard for someone who looks like me to vote. But it is precisely that capacity to change that enriches our countries." And he touched on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. "Let me be clear: the United States strongly supports the goal of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security." Clearly, this speech was about how Turkey can be a major player in achieving Middle East peace.

The push for the hearts and minds of the Muslim world: Later this morning, Obama holds a bilateral with Prime Minister Erdogan before departing to Istanbul. Of course, Obama's stop in Turkey is his first visit as president to a predominantly Muslim country. And it's his latest push for the hearts and minds of the Muslim world. Remember when he said this during his inauguration: "To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect." This morning, at the press conference with President Gul, Obama said he was hopeful to shape a set of policies and strategies to "bridge the divide between the Muslim world and the West." His visit to this majority-Muslim nation comes as a new Washington Post/ABC poll finds that 81% think it's "very important" or "somewhat important" for Obama to improve U.S. relations with Muslim nations. However, the poll also shows that 48% of Americans (including six in 10 Republicans and four in 10 Democrats) have an unfavorable opinion of Islam.

Source: msnbc.com