But we know Iran's president to be un-sane and un-reasonable. Just the day before Obama's Cairo speech, Ahmadinejad repeated his belief that the Holocaust was a "big deception."

In his own remarks, Obama said that denying the fact of the Holocaust is "baseless," "ignorant" and "hateful." If Ahmadinejad didn't recognize himself, surely the rest of the world did, including Iranians who will vote in their country's presidential election this month.

Finally, Obama was unflinching in defending American values, though he characterized them not as uniquely American values but as human rights.

Listening to the speech, one couldn't help noticing (at times uneasily) the moments that prompted applause. Every time Obama quoted scripture from the Koran or conceded errors in America's own history, the audience clapped. (The loudest applause, however, came when Obama spoke of democracy.)

Although it made sense to acknowledge Koranic wisdom as a way of showing respect for the audience, I kept thinking: Why not toss a few crumbs to the non-Muslim boys and girls back home? If the message is our common humanity, why not demonstrate that commonality by showing parallels in Jewish and Christian texts?

This omission would have been my sharpest criticism of the speech if not for the fact that I was judging too soon. Obama saved the best for last.

This time echoing his presidential campaign, Obama said: "We have the power to make the world we seek (yes we can!), but only if we have the courage to make a new beginning (fired up, ready to go!), keeping in mind what has been written."

Then he quoted verses from the Koran, the Talmud and the Bible that all pointed toward peace. He wrapped up with the ultimate plea for hope and change:

"The people of the world can live together in peace," said Obama. "We know that is God's vision. Now, that must be our work here on Earth."

Hey, it worked in 2008.