Obama's Muslim roots discussed by deputy National Security Adviser

ABC News today is reporting that the deputy National Security Adviser for Strategic Communications, Denis McDonough, mentioned Obama's Islamic "experience" during a conference call with the media ahead of President Obama's trip to Cairo to address the Muslim world.

McDonough said, "the President himself experienced Islam on three continents before he was able to -- or before he's been able to visit, really, the heart of the Islamic world -- you know, growing up in Indonesia, having a Muslim father -- obviously Muslim Americans (are) a key part of Illinois and Chicago."

The ABC News report concluded with these statements, "Since the election, however, with the threat of the rumors at least somewhat abated, the White House has been increasingly forthcoming about the president's roots. Especially when reaching out to the Muslim world. In his April 6 address to the Turkish Parliament, President Obama referenced how many 'Americans have Muslims in their families or have lived in a Muslim majority country. I know, because I am one of them.'"