I can recognize some strategic wisdom in the President avoiding saying this.
But I do think that somehow, even some part of the administration or at least some leading 'experts' could say that much louder, clearer and on more news shows.
And, perhaps the President could say something like:
YOU SAY ISLAM IS A RELIGION OF PEACE.
PROVE IT.
SHOW US. You have abundantly shown us the opposite.
If it really is a religion of peace, then you should do much better at policing the radicals out of your midst. Otherwise, either your religion is a sham or your practice of it is a sham with regard to being a religion of peace.