President Obama Wins Nobel Prize (WTF!)
Friday, October 9, 2009 at 12:00PMI almost spat out my coffee this morning when I heard the news. I wasn't planning on updating the blog any further today and I'd slept in. And LOOK WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU SLEEP IN! Someone gives the dang president the dang Nobel Peace Prize for ... um ... what did he win it for? The man JUST got elected! He hasn't even been in office a year. Isn't this really the Nobel Peace Prize for "Dang, We Really, Really Hated Bush?" Either way, yeah for the prez. Yeah for us. But ... um ... what?
From Politico:
Barely nine months into office, President Barack Obama has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize – with the committee citing Obama’s “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy” and his support for nuclear arms reduction.
"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," said Thorbjoern Jagland, chairman of the Nobel Committee.
But the prize shocked the White House and international observers – some of whom are already questioning what Obama has done in his short time as president to deserve the honor.
The White House found out about the award at about 5 a.m., via a wire report out of the Situation Room, aides said. Press Secretary Robert Gibbs called the White House a little before 6 a.m. and woke Obama to tell him he had won.
Gibbs said that Obama was "humbled" to get the honor and senior advisor David Axelrod expressed surprise that the award went to Obama.
“It’s an honor. It’s nothing anyone expected. It’s certainly nothing the president sought. I think that he’s less interested in individual honors, and this certainly is one, than in advancing the causes that were cited by the Nobel committee,” Axelrod said on MSNBC.
Anyone want to take a stab at what Obama won the prize for? I get that he's intelligent and dynamic, but shouldn't this be something you get towards the end of your presidency (or at least the end of the first term) when people can actually measure what you've done? I am fifteen kinds of bemused and bewildered by the news. Can you be happy and highly confused at the same time?
Reader Comments (56)
I am right there witcha, Danielle. The news on NPR literally jolted me up off my pillow this morning.
And guess what immediately followed? "The president convenes Congressional meeting to discuss Afghanistan" (something or another)
Actually is it really that surprising? Let's see, its an annual award, not a lifetime achievement, and its given to the person in the last year who has done the most to advocate for world peace and diplomacy. In the last year, the President has advocated for nuclear disarmamanet, reached out to repair the US's diplomatic relationships with Europe, the Muslim nations, Russia, Cuba and South/Central America, opened the door for the possibility of diplomatic relationships with N. Korea and Iran, agreed to close Guantanamo and re-engaged the US with the rest of the world, versus our previous adminsitrations stance of "...you're either with us, or against us..." mentality. Who else has done that much in the past year? I don't see it as much of stretch, really. Next year, they'll look at that time frame and ward it to the person who meets the criteria for that year...
Well, if you read the statement from the Nobel committee, you would see that they are recognizing his efforts for multilateralism despite any longstanding or past tension. I think from the start of his candidacy, his premise of hope and elevating the political dialogue inspired not only Americans but international citizens as well. Sad that only six hours after being chosen everyone is searching for every reason not to award it to him. I think it's well deserved and it will help Americans move past viewing his administration's agenda in a racial context.
It was shocking, but it is not a WTF moment at all. This Nobel Peace Prize is not solely about accomplishments> I think one commenter on another blog said it the best--- They did not hand it out for his accomplishments to date but for his willingness to embrace ideologies and pursue strategies pushing towards a more peaceful world.
Sometimes it's not all about what you did, but what you represent and how you can use that image to create a peaceful union. And you have to agree President Obama's image has created a more unified world view.
Moreover, its not like he has been sitting on a bump on a log and hasn't accomplishments things that awards him this honor. He has withdrawn many troops from Iraq. He has negiotated with Russia (a place we had horrible ties and tension with) for nuclear disarnment (which has led the US to have a better relationship with Russia), and he has also has tired to promote peace in the Middle East.
I think the award is for what he stands for and his ability to use his image to bring peace. Personally I think Obama needed this boost of support to deal with all the bs he has been getting.
Or should I say fearful context....
Yeah, I'm delighted and perplexed at the same time. Diva makes a good point but with so much controversy over healthcare, school speeches,the wars, etc. it just takes me by surprise.
Here's what I find funny. The local news (in Texas) interviewed people about Obama's award and every white person said they thought that he hadn't been in office long enough to receive this honor. BUT if asked about his performance after 60 days in office there's a definite opinion on that and the response is never "he just got in office".
Well. Then it's great for him to be recognized with such a prestigious honor for his varied and valiant attempts at peace and diplomacy over the past year. Especially since his attempts outweigh any actions or attempts from any other public figure that comes to mind (or fail to come to mind). And that is the tragedy, imo.
@ Brandi
Its so true in your statement it makes you wonder doesnt it?
I'm happy and highly confused at the same time too Danielle. The only conclusion I can think of is the fact that he brought people together during his campaigning and ultimately overcame our nation’s historical prejudices to become president. Or maybe the Nobel Peace Prize voting committee is just full of socialist, communist Muslims. I'm sure that's what many of his radical opponents are thinking/
lola:
The Peace Prize is an annual award but is give for a lifetime's work or some major accomplishment usually having to do with peace. Last time I checked, Obama has done neither. Obama had just barley been elected to office, about 12 days when the Nobel Prize Committee accepted his nomination for the prize This award makes mockery (really a traveshamockery) of the intent of the award. Let's be honest, Obama got the award for being a Democrat.
Note the last bullet point.
Myths and Misconceptions about the Nobel Peace Prize.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-eu-nobel-peace-myths,0,1694035.story
As such--totally appropriate. Surprising, but appropriate.
Totally thrown and thrilled at the same time by the announcement. Still not quite sure what to think of it. But I did listen to the official statement he made today. I believed him when he said he was very humbled by winning.
I had more of a "SAY WHAT??!" reaction than a WTF reaction. I'm also suprised and amused, for no reason than to laugh at the haters who at this moment are throwing a massive hissy fit.
TG, thanks for the link. I hope certain people read it so they can see how uninformed there statements are.
Dear President Obama: People are so bitter that you won. If I were you, I would lock up that prize right away, in case they try to take it back.
I think the reason given by the committee is enough! People get prestigious awards daily for doing lesser things, why not someone who reaches out to heal the world? Would it be easier to swallow your coffee had it been the usual white man whose credentials are blown out of proportion? Sometimes we are truly our worse enemies. SMDH! Maybe, God had His hand in it!
TG and LisaJ:
Can you point to one thing that Obama has done to deserve the prize? As the recent SNL about Obama pointed out, he has promised much but delivered very little.
I for one have really been enjoying folks' reactions. As an American, I am proud of the nod of recognition my President received. I do not agree that the President should graciously decline it, as he likely was too busy doing other things like trying to run a country to seek it out. I am confident that he will be as gracious as ever when he does accept it. But, as someone with a healthy dose of pragmatism, I believe that it was a Very Smooth Move by the Norweigans.
Some say it should be considered no more than a gentle positive nudge by the international community, others say "keep watching". I'mma keep watching. With my popcorn. Afghanistan will be part of the February Sweeps.
Oh, God. Give me freakin' break, Danielle. But I expected this kind of reaction from you being that you seem to live and die the cable news ethos. If it's being spouted on cable news of the Huffington Post, you can bet it's gonna be on teh Black Snob.
Please, everyone read this and calm the fuck down. This is a good thing. A very good thing.
http://narcosphere.narconews.com/thefield/3519/congratulations-dude
@ Tracy
I'm pretty sure I'm not the only person who was surprised. I never said it was a bad thing and this is news everywhere. Was I supposed to write ... nothing?
I guess that the Nobel Peace Prize has become like the awards that are given out in childrens' sports, you know the kind that kids get for having participated in order make them feel better about themselves, instead of actually having done anything.
The Nobel Pease Prize is giving not only for accomplishments but for vision.
But I am sure the committe took notice of these actions by Obama and his administration:
1. Dropped the Missle Defense to which Russians responded by canceling their deployment of Iskander short-range missiles in the Kaliningrad region of the country (baby steps, baby steps)
2. Convened and began action at the UN on complete global nuclear disarmament - that included getting the Iranians to the table and getting them to agree to stop enrichment of fissile materials
3. Announced the United States will FINALLY sign onto the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and the Fissile Materials Treaty (international treaty that prohibits the further production of weapons-grade uranium and plutonium)
Congrats, Mr. President,
Oh, sorry for the double post but:
@Scott
Please, have a BIG, HOT, HELPING OF STFU!! Still waiting for those testicles to drop, huh?
I slept in too and was shocked when I heard the news. I think from an American perspective it's particularly hard to fathom that he'd win the award now because he gets so much crap from all sides at home. However, this is an international award and from across an ocean the fact that the US is being led by a smart, capable man with an inclusive worldview that stresses partnership rather than unilateral domination is a HUGE relief after GWB.
In a sense I think it was candidate Obama that won this award more so than any potential to be realized by President Obama. It's not a reward for his Presidency, obviously, but rather the hope and promise of a new future that his candidacy represented.
The American administration was pretty well hated in the world as arrogant cowboys. My family in Jamaica, Canada, England and Ghana could not have been more interested in and delighted by the promise of candidate Obama. Remember that crowd in Berlin? It seems normal to us now that he's President, but 2 years ago when I started campaigning for him, he was a serious longshot. Remember when "they're not gonna let the black guy win" was accepted conventional wisdom? His getting elected was a HUGE deal, the impact and magnitude of which a lot of us have forgotten.
The rest of the world isn't watching Fox news and reading Politico and following all the foolishness that constitutes our domestic political squabbles right now. In fact, they don't get it and think it's crazy that he's being compared to all kindsa Hitler and Stalin since they know a thing or two about real Nazis, fascists and communists.
What they do know is that they can breathe more easily because an intelligent, broad-minded adult who respects other countries is at the helm of the most powerful country in the world. That he got elected kinda made the world seem right again and redeemed Americans in the eyes of those abroad, in that they actually voted for this guy instead of electing another W or W in a skirt. I think that is worth a lot in terms of their own peace of mind.
So while I'm still shocked and could definitely see someone's point in saying this award is premature, I also think it just means that Peace of Mind, might be the Peace in this year's Nobel Peace Prize.
After Bush, who wouldn't win the Nobel Peace Prize?