Obama wins Nobel Peace Prize. Seriously.
(7 a.m.)
Umm, I’ll have more to say on this later.
You know, after the shock has worn off.
Which might be sometime next year.
Because right now my candid reaction is that this is wildly premature at best. Nine months in office?
UPDATE (8:20 a.m):
So the first question that comes to mind is of course:
Why?
And my best answer at this point would be two words: George Bush.
I’m not looking for a chance to bash the previous president, I’m just casting about for an explanation of a rather strange decision by the Nobel Committee. And I think that explanation has to begin with Obama’s predecessor.
This award is testament to America’s enduring importance to the rest of the world, not just because we have the world’s biggest economy and most powerful military, but because of the moral leadership we are expected to provide. Despite all the resentment and anger directed our way, no other actor on the world stage can play the role we play.
And in George Bush, the rest of the world saw a side of America they simply did not like and did not trust. Instead of an America that led through example and cooperation, they saw an America that acted like most other nations would act if granted such power, a nation that was arrogant and willing to bully others to get its way. We diminished ourselves in the eyes of the world.
The official Nobel citation, printed below, reads like an extended sigh of relief that new leadership in Washington is setting a very new direction. A new French president or Chinese chairman could not possibly have captured the world’s imagination so completely. This is a gesture of renewed faith in American leadership as embodied in Obama.
That said, it is still ridiculously premature, and I expect Obama knows that better than anyone. It’s like putting a rookie pitcher in the Hall of Fame after two great months in the bigs.
Considering the circumstances in which he took office, I wouldn’t quibble with much that Obama has done. But the only actual accomplishment of his first nine months — besides not being George Bush — was his success in pulling the global economy back from what appeared to be possible catastrophe. That was hardly his work alone; in fact, despite some early flailing, President Bush deserves a chunk of that credit as well, as do other world and economic leaders.
Beyond that, everything else is a work in progress. Obama has prepared the ground for what may be future accomplishments, especially on the diplomatic front. He has done important work, necessary work, but not in my mind sufficient work for such a high honor.
His task now is to earn what he has already received, and that’s a lot to ask of any man.
Here’s the official citation from the Nobel Committee:
“The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided that the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009 is to be awarded to President Barack Obama for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples. The Committee has attached special importance to Obama’s vision of and work for a world without nuclear weapons.
“Obama has as president created a new climate in international politics. Multilateral diplomacy has regained a central position, with emphasis on the role that the United Nations and other international institutions can play. Dialogue and negotiations are preferred as instruments for resolving even the most difficult international conflicts. The vision of a world free from nuclear arms has powerfully stimulated disarmament and arms control negotiations. Thanks to Obama’s initiative, the USA is now playing a more constructive role in meeting the great climatic challenges the world is confronting. Democracy and human rights are to be strengthened.
“Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world’s attention and given its people hope for a better future. His diplomacy is founded in the concept that those who are to lead the world must do so on the basis of values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world’s population.
“For 108 years, the Norwegian Nobel Committee has sought to stimulate precisely that international policy and those attitudes for which Obama is now the world’s leading spokesman. The Committee endorses Obama’s appeal that “Now is the time for all of us to take our share of responsibility for a global response to global challenges.”
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661 comments Add your comment
I Report/ Vast White Wing Conspirator :-) You Whine :-(
October 9th, 2009
7:08 am
I agree, what peace?
I Report/ Vast White Wing Conspirator :-) You Whine :-(
October 9th, 2009
7:09 am
But then again, the DNC talking points fax has not yet arrived so we could change our mind.
mmm, mmmm, mmmm.
Northern Songs, Ltd.
October 9th, 2009
7:17 am
First Carter, then Gore, now Obabma? This can be nothing more than some lame attempt at an even lamer political statement by the Nobel folks.
Mrs. Godzilla
October 9th, 2009
7:17 am
This is wonderful news!
I’m so proud of our American President!
I love this part:
Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world’s attention and given its people hope for a better future. His diplomacy is founded in the concept that those who are to lead the world must do so on the basis of values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world’s population.
Hot Damn!
Northern Songs, Ltd.
October 9th, 2009
7:18 am
Sorry, that should be . Need caffeine….
Normal
October 9th, 2009
7:22 am
Read Luckovitch for today…says it all. This announcement is a sign the world is coming to an end to all of the President Obama haters…
stands for decibels
October 9th, 2009
7:25 am
my candid reaction is that this is wildly premature at best.
That was mine too, at first.
Now that I’ve had a few minutes to digest, it’s more selfish, i.e. “you guys, don’t you think Obama’s got enough of a burden from our citizenry’s high expectations, already? jeez.”
Although the wingnuts’ collective stupidity, per usual, should be amusing to observe. Popcorn, anyone?
Mrs. Godzilla
October 9th, 2009
7:27 am
popcorn, yes.
and junior mints.
we are in for some entertainment today.
stands for decibels
October 9th, 2009
7:28 am
For some perspective, both Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson had been in office five years prior to receiving their respective prizes.
NoWayOut
October 9th, 2009
7:29 am
I don’t believe it’s premature at all and I’m sick of all the hate for President Obama. Every speach he makes and everything he does is to help people in need. He’s definitely not a warmonger.
It’s more disappointing to listen too and see so many people who haven’t promoted an once of peace or done anything to benefit peace, say what is deserved by President Obama.
Normal
October 9th, 2009
7:30 am
I wonder how Rush and Glen are going to spin this? Hahahahahaha
stands for decibels
October 9th, 2009
7:31 am
First Carter, then Gore, now Obama?
And TR and WW, albeit much farther into their respective terms in office, yes.
Mrs. Godzilla
October 9th, 2009
7:33 am
stands
I think we are about to see the hate olympics here…..
we need to score them.
Joey
October 9th, 2009
7:33 am
The Nobel Committee did not do President Obama any favor here. The least important reaction will be that of the US and its people, regardless of political leaning.
The reactions of other world leaders are what we should watch. Not so much their public reaction, but their private reaction. This will not bring or command their respect. Probably just the opposite.
Way to much. Way to soon.
TnGelding
October 9th, 2009
7:34 am
Take that, IOC!
Seriously, it’s ridiculous. Think Jimmy will give his back in protest?
Taxpayer
October 9th, 2009
7:35 am
Poor George and Dick. Overlooked and after all their hard work. Carter and now Obama and for just talking about not blowing people up. What is the world coming to.
Richard
October 9th, 2009
7:35 am
During WWII, a Polish women was allowed into the Warsaw ghetto frequently. She managed to smuggle out a lot of infants and young children, which she placed in foster homes, etc. She was nominated for the Peace Prize in 2007. Gore won for his movie.
Explain to me just what the Peace Prize means!!
Mrs. Godzilla
October 9th, 2009
7:36 am
Oh, and Happy Leif Erickson Day!
Finn McCool
October 9th, 2009
7:39 am
Wingnut heads explode throughout the land. What a way to ruin the nutter’s weekend!!
mwuahahahahahah
Only the 3rd sitting US President to receive the honor. No politics in the choice I’m sure.
Finn McCool
October 9th, 2009
7:42 am
That whole bible thing that reads “the meek shall inherit the earth”…that was just a joke, wasn’t it, nutters?
Mrs. Godzilla
October 9th, 2009
7:42 am
Just heard somebody suggest this award is for the American people
and the change we voted for!
TnGelding
October 9th, 2009
7:43 am
Republicans backing stimulus?
“Republicans urge Obama to roll back “Buy American”
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Republicans urged President Barack Obama on Thursday to roll back “Buy American” provisions of this year’s economic stimulus package that they said were delaying public works projects and costing American jobs.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20091008/pl_nm/us_usa_buyamerican_1
(But not America?)
TnGelding
October 9th, 2009
7:45 am
Mrs. Godzilla
October 9th, 2009
7:42 am
Change might be inevitable, but it sure is slow.
TnGelding
October 9th, 2009
7:47 am
Maybe he’ll have the good judgment to turn it down?
@@
October 9th, 2009
7:48 am
Well I guess Obama’s been right all along. It’s the words that matter, not deeds.
Winning the nobel prize for “wishful thinking”????
Hamas is congratulating him but doesn’t think he’ll be deserving it.
Peadawg
October 9th, 2009
7:48 am
I didn’t realize he had done anything to earn it.
Just Say No
October 9th, 2009
7:50 am
ha ha Isn’t this the same award Arafat won?
TnGelding
October 9th, 2009
7:52 am
A little late:
“US forces leave isolated Afghan base after attack”
KABUL (AP) – U.S. forces have withdrawn from an isolated base in eastern Afghanistan that insurgents attacked last week in one of the deadliest battles of the war for U.S. troops, the NATO-led coalition said Friday. The pullout from the Kamdesh outpost near the Pakistani border is likely to embolden insurgent fighters in the region. The Taliban swiftly claimed “victory” for forcing the coalition to leave and said they had raised their flag above the town.
The Kamdesh base was largely burned down during the violence. But U.S. Master Sgt. Thomas Clementson said the damage did not affect the timing of the withdrawal and the U.S. was “just days” away from pulling out when the attack happened.
http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_AFGHANISTAN?SITE=GACAT&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2009-10-09-07-20-54
Mrs. Godzilla
October 9th, 2009
7:52 am
Tutu, Mandela, Martin Luther King…….all awarded the Nobel Prize for their impact on the world – before their major work was completed.
President Obama is in fine company.
Obammy is not worthy
October 9th, 2009
7:53 am
Those damn Norwegians.
Vinny
October 9th, 2009
7:54 am
Yasser Arafat received the Nobel Peace Prize, which in and of itself is proof that the prize is nothing but a meaningless political tool of the left.
Joey
October 9th, 2009
7:57 am
Mrs. Godzilla;
I think you may be reaching with the Tutu, Mandela and King comparisions.
RW-(the original)
October 9th, 2009
7:59 am
I’m not sure why the moonbats are expecting a collective wingnut head explosion. A Nobel “peace” prize is one of the best indications that we’re right about him.
Just Say No
October 9th, 2009
8:00 am
All you have to do to receive the Nobel Prize is leave prisoners at Guantanamo indefinitely continue the war in Iraq and send more troops to Afghanistan.O and use drones to blow up bad guys in Pakistan including some innocent bystanders.Peace Peace mwuhahahaha
Mrs. Godzilla
October 9th, 2009
8:00 am
Joey,
I appreciate your opinion, but think you’re wrong.
Peace!
Huckabee The Next POTUS 2012
October 9th, 2009
8:00 am
How fitting, that’s about as funny as Sindy loo hoo winning the pullonthishereazer award. Both are deserving of these joke awards. I’m about as proud of the lying socialist winning this as I was when the communist loving idiot peanuthead carter received his. Way to go obozo, now how about doing your job, you know the one you fooled so many people into voting for your sorry butt for. You know maybe jobs for True Americans, instead of all of your chi-town gangster buddies on the czar a week program. Maybe jay can get one next year, it seems the only thing they look for is being a bedwetting dumpocrap that believes weak is good and scared is better. Keep up the liberal work jay, you are almost there.
Yankee
October 9th, 2009
8:02 am
Guess what you MORON CONFEDERATES the Swedes could care less what “Y’ALL” think. Thanks to BUSH the US was a JOKE internationally. Now that President Obama has the world againg looking at the US with respect and admiration you CLOWNS will find issues.
TW
October 9th, 2009
8:03 am
‘w’ the republican –
the gift that keeps on giving
@@
October 9th, 2009
8:06 am
For those here who hang on His every word…
CNN reports, “After the president was awakened and told he had won, he said he was humbled to be selected, according to an administration official.”
So, did he agree to a one on one with the Dalai Lama?
Unbelievable.
Outta here.
Obammy is not worthy
October 9th, 2009
8:07 am
That’s right Yankee! And what has Sweden ever done, besides hide our money?
You give Yankees a bad name – do us a favor and keep your TastyCake hole shut.
Yankee
October 9th, 2009
8:07 am
“Yasser Arafat received the Nobel Peace Prize, which in and of itself is proof that the prize is nothing but a meaningless political tool of the left”
If this is the case why does it bother YOU so much? MORON!!
Zedd
October 9th, 2009
8:07 am
What a complete and utter joke! They’ll give one of those things to anybody now days I guess. A bit premature would be the understatement of the year. An award for a lot of BS talk, and no action. The Nobel committee must be suffering from that warm tingly feeling up the leg thingy.
Fly-On-The-Wall
October 9th, 2009
8:08 am
I know my jaw hit the floorboard while driving in this morning. I’m sure this will cause an even more over-the-top reaction from the rabid right.
Agnes
October 9th, 2009
8:09 am
Yankee;
Interesting. Your use of the word aga (againg) in your 8:02 post.
Aga; a title of respect for important officials in some Muslim countries.
Fly-On-The-Wall
October 9th, 2009
8:10 am
Obammy – I think you mean Switzerland not Sweden.
I Report/ Vast White Wing Conspirator (-: You Whine )-:
October 9th, 2009
8:10 am
Wingnut heads explode throughout the land. What a way to ruin the nutter’s weekend!!
I’d like to see where the “wingnut” nation has ever shown any respect and anything but utter ridicule for the joke that is the nobel peace prize committee, cause if we ever did, I sure the hell missed it.
mmm, mmmm, mmmm, what a joke.
Yankee
October 9th, 2009
8:11 am
President Obama will win a SECOND NOBEL PRIZE before he leaves office in 2016. You can put that in your pipe and smoke it CONFEDERATES !!
jconservative
October 9th, 2009
8:11 am
As a ciitizen of, and a big fan of, the United States of America I think the Nobel for Obama is great. Good for us.
I hope an American wins it next year.
Cherokee
October 9th, 2009
8:13 am
“popcorn, yes.
and junior mints.
we are in for some entertainment today.”
Congratulations President Obama. I, for one, am going to enjoy watching the inchoate rage of the sputtering wingnuts today.
Good times!
TnGelding
October 9th, 2009
8:14 am
jconservative
October 9th, 2009
8:11 am
I’m sure Kenya is equally proud! Get real.