Obama Wins Nobel Peace Prize
U.S. President Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday – a surprise selection given his lack of accomplishment on the world stage (or any stage, for that matter) and the fact that the deadline for nominations came just 12 days after he was inaugurated. Seriously, Mahatma Gandhi and Pope John Paul II were never awarded this honor after years of efforts to advance the cause of peace around the world.
Nonetheless, Obama joined the ranks of Mikhail Gorbachev, Mother Teresa, the Dalai Lama and Martin Luther King, Jr. in winning the award, receiving praise from the Norwegian Nobel Committee for his “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.”
Obama’s victory sparked jubilation in Kenya.
“It’s God’s blessing,” the AP reported a native Kenyan as saying. “This is a win for Africa.”
In Washington – and most other places around the world – it prompted head-scratching and criticism.
“The reality is that the prize appears to have been awarded to Barack Obama for what he is not,” the UK’s Guardian wrote. “For not being George W Bush. Or rather being less like the last president. The question now is whether having being anointed perhaps too early by the committee, a Nobel prize earned so cheaply and at so little cost will help him in his efforts on the international stage or rather be an albatross around his neck. Something against which all his future efforts will be judged – and perhaps found wanting.”
“Obama should have been given time to be judged on his accomplishments, not just his grand campaign promises,” writes Kansas City Star columnist Yael T. Abouhalkah. “The awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Obama for his meager work so far in office demeans the award itself.”
Even Obama’s allies agree the award was premature.
“President Obama should thank the Nobel committee and ask them to hold on to the Peace Prize for a couple more years,” writes the left-leaning New Yorker. “The prize should be awarded for achievement, not aspiration, and so far Obama’s main achievement has been getting elected President, which is in a different category.”
For even more reaction to Obama’s Nobel Peace prize win, click here.
Obama was notified of his victory early Friday morning by White House press secretary Robert Gibbs.
Obama becomes the fourth American President to win the award, following Theodore Roosevelt (1906), Woodrow Wilson (1919) and Jimmy Carter (2002). He is the third U.S. President to win the award while in office.
Former U.S. vice-president Al Gore won the award in 2007.
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Comments
By seymour on October 9th, 2009 at 10:04 am
The WORLD loves us! I am so proud! Now, all we need to do is to completely disarm America, pass comprehensive environmental legislation, ditch the US Constitution, dismantle ALL nukes, disband our militaries, and the world will love us even more!
Yes, Virginia, we CAN!
By Baldmongoose on October 9th, 2009 at 10:40 am
Next thing you know Millard Filmore will be on Mt. Rushmore.
By SC Integrity on October 9th, 2009 at 10:43 am
Wow, winning something for doing nothing. Somehow that works. Too bad it wasn’t the Olympics, though. Obama’s truly got the lucky charm, just words win in the end.
By Pat Hendrix on October 9th, 2009 at 11:08 am
This is the first step in America being absorbed into the European Union. Just wait and see.
By Strom's Daughter on October 9th, 2009 at 11:10 am
It’s a vile conspiracy that Glenn Beck didn’t win the Nobel Peace Prize.
I’ve been tea bagging for Glenn at least a year now, and I know good and well the feds and their socialist health care are behind this.
By JR on October 9th, 2009 at 11:11 am
This reflects poorly on the Nobel Committee. Obama had nothing to do with winning this award. Of course the wing nuts are out in full force over this award, it just shows how misinformed they are.
By Caleb Parker on October 9th, 2009 at 11:47 am
Has this man created peace anywhere yet? He said he was going to close Gitmo, but has he done it? Has our standings in the Middle East improved? Has he been able to unify our country or bring about a bipartisan coalition? Has he improved our the view or status of our country?
The answer to all of these is no.
By Crooner on October 9th, 2009 at 11:55 am
Don’t be a hater. It was Cheney who ditched the constitution. And I don’t see how the party who suddenly (ie. in the last nine months) developed a concern about leaving debt for our children wouldn’t be concerned about leaving them a clean environment.
By Cooter Brown on October 9th, 2009 at 11:58 am
King Hueesein da Bama Weze iza peace maker? My ol’ arse!
Da USSA, unda hiz leadershit iz in da middle ov at lest two whars an’ aint no end in site!
Whats so damn peaceful ’bout dat.
An’ da USSA occupies ova 130 sovereign countries(see http://www.lewrockwell.com/vance/vance8.html), not countin’ the sovereign republick of South Carolinie!
Whut da hell iz a goin’ on wit dese nobel peoples?
By Cooter Brown on October 9th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
An’ whats da deal with th’ three neked men on dat medal huggin and pecker pointin at each otha? Iz dis sum kinda homersexual group, dese nobel folks?
By dirtbogger on October 9th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
How is he diffrent than Bush? What Bush policy has he undone?
By Pass A. Fist on October 9th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
This leaves several questions:
1- Since BO has done nothing to earn this, is he disqualified in the future if he does something for peace?
2- Since he has seven more yrs. of his presidency if reelected, do the rules permit him to win the award eight years in a row? What about post-presidency as Carter did?
3- Since the prize comes with a big cash reward, will he use it to help the poor, help world peace, stimulate the economy, contribute to his church, er, oops — overlook that last one.
4- Will the committee withdraw the award if BO sends 40k troops to Afghanistan, or is the award ironic leverage to get him to punt in Afghanistan?
5- Is there a non-Nobel Prize that cn be awarded to W?
By Strom's Daughter on October 9th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Now I’m actually glad Glenn Beck didn’t win the Nobel Peace Prize.
Look at the one picture of the medal they’re handing out.
It’s got three naked gay men on it, gaying it up big time with their arms around each other. Their feet appear to be touching, too.
I hope nobody ever shows that picture in our state’s schools. One of the students just might win this sick prize and then come back to show the rest. Give me a break.
I say, fire the first teacher to show a picture of that disgusting medal — even if he/she teaches in an impaired school district.
By ohara on October 9th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Comments from Iraqis on his winning the Nobel Peace Prize:
Qais Munther, a 33-year-old doctor from the Baghdad suburb of Mansour, said Obama’s short time as leadership had caused him to reassess his antipathy towards America. “Obama has changed my view of US presidents. It is the first time a suitable man in a suitable place seriously deserved the Nobel award. I’m expecting him to fulfill his promises and that will change the views that the Muslim world now holds about America.”
Ali Kadier, 20, an engineering student at Baghdad University, said: “By withdrawing the troops he won the trust of the Iraqi people and other Muslim countries. We feel that his presidency is a time of peace. Look at the way he is dealing with Muslims and Arab countries. His last speech in Cairo was full of respect to the Muslim world. He has a respectable style and he deserves the Nobel prize.”
Harith Ismail, a 39-year-old businessman from central Baghdad, said: “Since he became president, he has made serious efforts to bring peace to the world. He has used dialogue, he has dealt with Iran in constructive ways and he has differentiated himself from Bush. I believe he wants the Middle East to be safe and free.”
If you change the direction of thought in the Middle East AWAY from endorsement of terrorism, you make this country a lot safer. The fact that Hamas & the Taliban have come out against Obama this morning is good enough for me. I lived there for over 10 years while on assignment. Ratcheting down the level of hate in the Arab world is vital to the security & economic interests of this country. There is a long road ahead, but he has made a significant impact on mindset in the Middle East.
By Lewis Campbell on October 9th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Apparently the Nobel Committee has faith that Barack Obama will accomplish great things. “Faith must trample under foot all reason, sense and understanding” (Martin Luther)
The things that Barack Obama hasn’t done are better than the things that other people have done. (to paraphrase Cyril Connolly, author and co-founder of Horizon)
By Not Sayin', Just Sayin' on October 9th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
It seems premature, at best. Especially after President Carter had to wait thrity years to get it for doing so much more.
By Chris R on October 9th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
I for one, am very proud that our country’s President has won the Nobel Peace Prize.
I guess it is too much to ask for all US citizens to share the happiness of this occasion.
By Constant Gina on October 9th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
Congratulations to President Obama!
By siagon on October 9th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
I’m still so impressed with this prestigious award!
President Obama was president for only 12 before he was nominated.
That, my friends, is a world record!
History has truly been made!
Congrats!
No, really, congrats!
By Rylyn on October 9th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
Tell me exactly what he did to earn this award???
By Nyet on October 9th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
“Today’s Tuneage” needs a proper burial.
By madcock on October 9th, 2009 at 8:14 pm
Wow, what an enlightening day. The RNC and Taliban marching in lockstep to bitterly and immediately criticize the Nobel committee’s selection.
I’ve long known that there was no difference betweem fascist Christian fanatics and fascist Muslim fanatics. It’s great to see it exposed so clearly.
With enemies like this Obama can’t lose.
By No Way! on October 9th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
Boy wonder Obama has not done anything for peace. This is a clear picture of how random the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded. It clearly means nothing! To answer Cooter Brown:
Tem naked men on the back of the nobel prize are teabaggin’ each other. Buncha queers.
By sid on October 10th, 2009 at 7:34 am
Look! Crazydick got his talking points from the DNC, and is on the march! Look at all the lefties running to Barry’s defence, while the rest of the sane world questions this decision.
By Rich on October 10th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Right before Obama doubles down on Afghanistan and sends thousands of young men to die in Afghanistan , he receives a “peace” prize.
Priceless
By No Way! on October 10th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
Agree fully with Sid and Cooter Brown. You should see those MSNBC talking heads (Maddow, ect) standing the story on its head to make it look like Obama deserved this. It just shows us what a farce the Nobel Prize is when it comes to “Peace”. Bill Clinton has better earned this award and that is really sayin somthin! (As Cooter Brown would say!)
By Sam Kaufman on October 11th, 2009 at 3:20 am
my first thought was that maybe they’re making up for Chicago not getting the Olympics