From PRI, Public Radio International and KCRW Santa Monica, this is To the Point.

Muslims, Arabs, and the Obama campaign.

Hello again, I'm Mormon-Aul and this is To the Point from Public Radio International.

A daily look at the issues Americans care about most.

Does Barack Obama's message of unity extend to American Muslims? Many are not so sure.

Would his sympathy for the Palestinians produce more even-handedness in the Middle East?

Some Arab Americans don't really think so. On to the point, a Christian candidate needs to

quash rumors that he's a secret Muslim,

without offending Muslims themselves. While his hard-line support for Israel may appeal to Jews,

it could turn off another constituency that's potentially crucial in several key states.

As Obama goes to the Middle East, we'll talk about political challenges at home. On reporter's notebook later on,

the Bush administration faces climate change. First, the news.

Support for To the Point comes from subscribers of KCRW Santa Monica and from the Public Radio

International Program Fund, whose contributors include the Ford Foundation and the John D. and Catherine

T. MacArthur Foundation. Hello again, Warren. I'll be back with To the Point. When Barack Obama says

it's a smear to call him a Muslim, and Muslim supporters have second thoughts. He's had kind words

for the Palestinians, but his hard line for Israel has Arab Americans worried. On To the Point,

does Obama's message of unity have limits?

Is he distancing himself from voters who could make a difference in key states?

On reporter's notebook is the Bush administration contradicting itself on global warming.

First is news update.

President Bush has been adamant, no talks with Iran until it suspends enrichment of uranium,

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