I don’t think anybody expected this to move across the wire this morning:
In a stunning surprise, the Nobel Committee announced Friday that it had awarded its annual peace prize to President Obama “for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples” less than nine months after he took office.
“He has created a new international climate,” the committee said in its announcement. With American forces deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, President Obama’s name had not figured in speculation about the winner until minutes before the prize was announced here.
Likely candidates had been seen here as including human rights activists in China and Afghanistan and political figures in Africa.
But the committee said it wanted to enhance Mr. Obama’s diplomatic efforts so far rather than reward him for events in the future.
Thorbjorn Jagland, the chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee and a former prime minister of Norway, told reporters that Mr. Obama had already contributed enough to world diplomacy and understanding to deserve the prize.
Asked whether the prize was given too early in Mr. Obama’s presidency, he said: “We are not awarding the prize for what may happen in the future but for what he has done in the previous year. We would hope this will enhance what he is trying to do.
posted October 9, 2009 at 7:27 am
My first reaction was: “For What?” That was also my second and third reaction. The answer, after a nano-second of thought on the matter: “For nothing!”
What the Nobel Peace Prize Committee has shown that style trumpets substance.
They (the Committee) have shown the world that they are really a committee of nothing.
posted October 9, 2009 at 8:10 am
Further reduces my respect for the award, if I had any left. Given by a bunch of unrealistic do gooders who would be speaking German now if it wasn’t for America’s might in the first two World Wars. Obama is an embarrassment to many Americans and he weakens our country both militarily and economically every day!
“The American people will never willingly adopt socialism. But, under the name of ‘liberalism’, they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program, until one day America will be a socialist nation, without knowing how it happened.” I no longer need to run as a Presidential Candidate for the Socialist Party. The Democrat Party has adopted our platform.”
Norman Matton Thomas, presidential candidate and head of the US Socialist party quote from 1944
posted October 9, 2009 at 8:49 am
Ha-ha-ha-ha-oh-oh-ha-ha-snort-ho-heeeeee-ha-snort-ha-ha-uh-uh-heee-heee-uh-umm. No really, who won?
posted October 9, 2009 at 9:01 am
The Nobel Peace Prize declined to the level of the Golden Globe Awards years ago. After this, even the Golden Globes are looking pretty respectable.
posted October 9, 2009 at 9:12 am
Whatever one thinks of President Obama’s intentions — or of his promise — the award is premature. It subjects Obama to ridicule not to mention the silly Norwegians. Consider that the deadline for submitting nominations to the Nobel Committee was February 1st — only 10 days after President Obama took office. What were his ACTUAL accomplishments then (February 1) or now (October 9)? Not much.
The smart thing for Obama would be to save the situation — and save himself from embarassment — by charitably thanking the Nobel Committee for their generous impulse but suggesting that others are more deserving of the award.
posted October 9, 2009 at 9:52 am
Emelie…
I think you made a good point about respectfully declining the award, I do not think he can resist the praise though, egomania at it’s finest.
posted October 9, 2009 at 9:54 am
My first reaction was that someone pulled this from “The Onion”– I am completely flabbergasted. And I completely agree with Emelie. Politely decline. That would show true humility, and a recognition that there are others infinitely more deserving.
Wow. File under “News of the Weird…”
posted October 9, 2009 at 10:32 am
Raymond Johnson makes a good point. If BHO accepts this award, he will join the ranks of Jimmy Carter and Yasser Arafat. Good company.
posted October 9, 2009 at 12:21 pm
You have to be kidding me. Looks like even the Nobel prize can be bought.
posted October 9, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Why spread negativity? Isn’t there enough of that in this world?
President Obama received the award “for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.” These are a good things! May God bless Barack Obama. He’s a work in progress, and so am I.
Even the Vatican had something good to say:
“The awarding of the Nobel Prize for Peace to President Obama is greeted with appreciation in the Vatican, in light of the commitment demonstrated by the President for the promotion of peace in the international arena, and in particular also recently in favor of nuclear disarmament. It’s hoped that this very important recognition will further encourage that commitment, which is difficult but fundamental for the future of humanity, so that the desired results will be obtained.”
posted October 9, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Thank You Ruth Ann for the voice of reason.
posted October 9, 2009 at 8:16 pm
Yes, thanks Ruth Ann.