host: john mercurio, thanks as always. david makovsky is author of this new book, "myths, illusions, and peace." guest: good to be with you, steve. host: the call it the cairo speech, pointing out that words are important. mr. obama was right when he urged leaders privately speak of moderation and compromise to dare to say those words in public, but the words are not enough. mr. obama, who had been in office less than six months, has a lot to do to fulfil this mission, and so do others. guest: i mean, clearly what depressed and it is trying to do is turn the page in the muslim world, began a new dialogue, try to transcend old divisions, search for some common ground, and he is trying to open a conversation with them. at the same time, as he said himself, everything does not change with one speech. but i think one of his prime objectives is to get a lot of people in different muslim communities around the world to reevaluate their attitudes toward the united states and to create a wider distance between some of these muslim

host: john mercurio, before i let you go, for anyone watching the first hour of "morning joe," the illinois senate race. a look at senator burris and whether or not he is going to reelect -- to seek reelection. he said probably not, but you never know. guest: i think he will probably not seek reelection, but i probably will have to agree with jim. roland burris has really defined -- has really defied expectations. he fought democratic leaders in the span it -- in the senate, to gain leadership in the senate. he has refused to rule out the possibility that he will run. you look at the tea leaves, a couple of indicators -- during the first three months of 2009, he raised barely any money, barely any money, which is ridiculous to consider anybody running in an expensive media states like illinois. there are democrats seriously talking about running the state treasury. democrats at this point are >> tomorrow, on washington journal, michael crittenden, , dave mccurdy talks about the auto industry and the government's stake in general motors and stephen after googoo. washington journal, live at 7