Obama faces the downside of winning Nobel Peace Prize

Earth bombed the moon this morning, and the Norwegian Nobel Committee dropped its own bomb, awarding the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize to President Obama.

You would think everything is perfect after receiving such a surprising honor and that Obama could joyously take a victory lap. But in its own way, the peace prize makes a slew of domestic and international political problems worse for the president, who has been in office for less than nine months.

The award emphasizes the gulf Obama must bridge in his two sometimes conflicting roles: president of the United States, who must act out of national self-interest, and his role as the moral beacon for international affairs around the globe.

For example, Obama has been meeting with his national security team to decide what to do about Afghanistan. The military is seeking an additional 40,000 U.S. troops on top of the 68,000 already committed (and the 40,000 NATO has there). Being a peace prize winner who sends more troops to war is something he will have to explain if he decides in that direction. If he doesn’t send more troops, he will have to explain that action to an already hostile GOP and furious conservatives.

Talk show host Rush Limbaugh lost no time calling Obama’s victory a "greater embarrassment" than losing the Olympics.

“This fully exposes the illusion that is Barack Obama," Limbaugh told Politico in an e-mail published on its website. “And with this ‘award’ the elites of the world are urging Obama, THE MAN OF PEACE, to not do the surge in Afghanistan, not take action against Iran and its nuclear program and to basically continue his intentions to emasculate the United States."

For other Republicans like party Chairman Michael Steele, the win allowed them to return to a frequent GOP trope from the campaign: that Obama can play on his unmerited star power rather than meaningful accomplishments.

“The real question Americans are asking is, 'What has President Obama actually accomplished?'” Steele said. “It is unfortunate that the president’s star power has outshined tireless advocates who have made real achievements working towards peace and human rights. One thing is certain: President Obama won’t be receiving any awards from Americans for job creation, fiscal responsibility or backing up rhetoric with concrete action.”

The Republican and conservative comments may sound like sour grapes, but it could harden an already unhappy group against a president who has argued for political bipartisanship.

The Nobel committee acknowledged it had moved quickly, but insisted speed was important.

“He got the prize because he has been able to change the international climate,” Norwegian Nobel Committee Chairman Thorbjorn Jagland said. “Some people say, and I understand it, isn’t it premature? Too early? Well, I’d say then that it could be too late to respond three years from now. It is now that we have the opportunity to respond — all of us.”

It is that feeling of hope and change that the committee wanted to foster. It is, of course, also a slap at President Bush and his administration’s insistence on going it alone.

Obama has played on his experience as community organizer to call for greater cooperation in the international and domestic arenas. It will take that skill to deal with the fallout from the award.

-- Michael Muskal

Here is the text of Obama’s comments on the Nobel Peace Prize as provided by White House:

Good morning. Well, this is not how I expected to wake up this morning. After I received the news, Malia walked in and said, "Daddy, you won the Nobel Peace Prize, and it is Bo’s birthday!" And then Sasha added, "Plus, we have a three-day weekend coming up." So it’s good to have kids to keep things in perspective.

I am both surprised and deeply humbled by the decision of the Nobel Committee. Let me be clear: I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments, but rather as an affirmation of American leadership on behalf of aspirations held by people in all nations.

To be honest, I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many of the transformative figures who’ve been honored by this prize -- men and women who’ve inspired me and inspired the entire world through their courageous pursuit of peace.

But I also know that this prize reflects the kind of world that those men and women, and all Americans, want to build -- a world that gives life to the promise of our founding documents. And I know that throughout history, the Nobel Peace Prize has not just been used to honor specific achievement; it’s also been used as a means to give momentum to a set of causes. And that is why I will accept this award as a call to action -- a call for all nations to confront the common challenges of the 21st century.
 
These challenges can’t be met by any one leader or any one nation. And that’s why my administration has worked to establish a new era of engagement in which all nations must take responsibility for the world we seek. We cannot tolerate a world in which nuclear weapons spread to more nations and in which the terror of a nuclear holocaust endangers more people. And that’s why we’ve begun to take concrete steps to pursue a world without nuclear weapons, because all nations have the right to pursue peaceful nuclear power, but all nations have the responsibility to demonstrate their peaceful intentions.

We cannot accept the growing threat posed by climate change, which could forever damage the world that we pass on to our children -- sowing conflict and famine; destroying coastlines and emptying cities. And that’s why all nations must now accept their share of responsibility for transforming the way that we use energy.

We can’t allow the differences between peoples to define the way that we see one another, and that’s why we must pursue a new beginning among people of different faiths and races and religions; one based upon mutual interest and mutual respect.

And we must all do our part to resolve those conflicts that have caused so much pain and hardship over so many years, and that effort must include an unwavering commitment that finally realizes that the rights of all Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security in nations of their own.

We can’t accept a world in which more people are denied opportunity and dignity that all people yearn for -- the ability to get an education and make a decent living; the security that you won’t have to live in fear of disease or violence without hope for the future.

And even as we strive to seek a world in which conflicts are resolved peacefully and prosperity is widely shared, we have to confront the world as we know it today. I am the Commander-in-Chief of a country that’s responsible for ending a war and working in another theater to confront a ruthless adversary that directly threatens the American people and our allies. I’m also aware that we are dealing with the impact of a global economic crisis that has left millions of Americans looking for work. These are concerns that I confront every day on behalf of the American people. 

Some of the work confronting us will not be completed during my presidency. Some, like the elimination of nuclear weapons, may not be completed in my lifetime. But I know these challenges can be met so long as it’s recognized that they will not be met by one person or one nation alone. This award is not simply about the efforts of my administration -- it’s about the courageous efforts of people around the world.

And that’s why this award must be shared with everyone who strives for justice and dignity -- for the young woman who marches silently in the streets on behalf of her right to be heard even in the face of beatings and bullets; for the leader imprisoned in her own home because she refuses to abandon her commitment to democracy; for the soldier who sacrificed through tour after tour of duty on behalf of someone half a world away; and for all those men and women across the world who sacrifice their safety and their freedom and sometime their lives for the cause of peace.

That has always been the cause of America. That’s why the world has always looked to America. And that’s why I believe America will continue to lead.

Thank you very much.

President Barack Obama walks from the Oval Office to deliver remarks after being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize from the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, D.C., USA, 09 October 2009. The surprise choice of President Obama for the Nobel Peace Prize was praised by much of the world. EPA/SHAWN THEW

Comments

[James]

Why do people find it comical that FOX News even mentioned this bogus award for a few minutes. Did the Left Wing I love Obama major networks mention the fraud and scandal regarding ACORN before Federal funding was cut? Of course not. I guess even the fools who pick Nobel Prize winners were also fooled by all the bs campaign promises made by Obama.

[directfitz]

It's really sad that so many people don't get why our President got the award. One, it's a repudiation of the Bush years. And two, it's to encourage the US to continue in the leadership of WORLD PEACE.
Don't you get it? They want us to stop killing.

[Adrian Benstead]

This Nobel Prize was awarded with indecent haste, and I think it devalues the prize. It looks like Obama-mania.

Most of the world loves Obama. His administration is a beacon of hope for the whole world (especially so in light of the disastrous Bush administration), but its work has barely begun.

That said, I was mollified by his response to the news. He made a very decent speech. I believe in Obama, but I wish the Nobel Prize committee had held off for another couple of years.

[Pancho]

What did Obama do? Did he command and stop any wars? Solve world hunger? Stop genocide in Africa? Legalize marijuana? He should give to his friends in Chicago who put him there. ACORN, the Weather Underground, his Reverend for 20 years, Father Flager, Jesse Jackson and to Community Organizers everywhere!

[PM]

Bah hah hah. What an ego. The fall will be huge.

[Chicka]

I still can't figure out why everyone seems to think this is Obama's doing..... it's not HIS fault the Norwegians love him long time.

Sure he's not done "anything" to "deserve" it - but he's a cuddly warm soft sunshine type of guy, and that's what peace prizes are for.

Really who cares? It's stupid for republicans to get their panties in a bunch over it, and it's REALLY stupid for democrats to imply republicans are the same as the Taliban, who ALSO got their panties in a bunch over it.

Everyone's getting really stupid over this....

[Wayne Corey]

It's just nonsense for the Nobel committee to award the Peace Prize to Obama. The award should be based on solid achievements, not on words or intentions, over a longer period of time.

Even liberal columnists in the N.Y. Times and the Washington Post don't think Obama deserves the prize. Maybe he'll deserve it in another year or so, but not yet.

[Wayne Corey]

It's just nonsense for the Nobel committee to award the Peace Prize to Obama now.

Calls for world peace and a desire for diplomacy are fine, but the award is supposed to be given for a notable achievement such as a peace agreement or a long and honorable record of helping refugees.

If any of Obama's intentions bear fruit, such as peace in the Middle East, detente with Iran, etc, then the Nobel Peace Prize might well be justified.

Even liberal columnists in the New York Times and the Washington Post don't think Obama deserves the award now.

[Jabli Izvesti]

If the award of the prize is a ploy by the Nobel Comittee to force the hand of Barack Obama and turn him into a regular Jimmy Carter,it would be quite an interesting gambit to watch.

[Bob]

What has President Obama achieved as President - until now?

He has first and foremost fundamentally changed American Foreign Policy after 8 years of the "simple-minded" policies of George Bush/Dick Cheney/Donald Rumsfeld, where you were "either with us or against us", and where the main focus of dealing with the World was exclusively on using the "military option", "hard power", if you wanted to project American power, or to protect American interests abroad.

President Obama has from day 1 in office relied on both "hard power" AND "soft power" (on both the stick AND the carrot approach) to deal with the World. This is a very positive change from the Bush years, which proved that sending in the Marines could not solve every problem for America. Today, diplomacy and dialog are also options on the table...

President Obama has also abandoned the Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld plans for establishing "missile defenses" in Eastern Europe, which opens the door for a constructive dialog with the Russians AND helps to avoid a new Arms Race with Russia. Obama has created an atmosphere where America AND Russia have again started serious talks about nuclear disarmament.

These are serious first steps towards real nuclear disarmament, towards preventing nuclear proliferation, and towards creating real peace in our World, now and in future.

[Tony]

When we think of the "peace prize" we think of people like Mother Teresa and Dr. Martin Luther King - people who dedicated their whole lives to non-violence and peaceful resolution of conflict.
While they sometimes find someone seemingly pure and totally deserving, it appears that the prize has not often been given for pure and altruistic reasons.
Consider the dubious nature of giving the award to people like and Sadat and Begin - warrior-leaders who killed a lot of people, but eventually stopped killing each others' people, even if they continued to kill people.
Even more cynically, they gave it to Arafat and Rabin simply for saying they would stop killing, even though they really didn't stop killing.
So I suppose then it is a natural progression that they start giving the award to people who they want to stop killing, even if they can't or won't.
Congratulations, Mr. President!

[JR Jake]

Just because you win something does not mean you rest on your laurels and do nothing post award. The award is well deserved in my eyes but yet it will be more justified in others eyes as time goes on. As we are able to 'collect our friends' so that we know our actual allies; it will be easier to draw the sides up more accurately. You will find in the long run there are more countries for us, than against us.

From this point forward we need to enlist the power brokers of peace throughout the world including the Middle East. We need to encourage our scientists, physicists and other -ists- to start working on enlisting their colleagues world wide so that we can eliminate nuclear warheads globally. Scientists will play integral roles in the future because they can actually collect data that is precise in showing exactly the tipping point and beyond when one nuclear warhead goes off, others will follow.

Since it is scientists, physicists and engineers who predicate the construction of these WMD's, they need to take a stand and refuse to cooperate in the arming of their societies. The global economic and political leaders need to meet and negotiate terms by which cooperation exists throughout their regions. This also means they need to work collectively in eliminating 'hotspots' within their region that can ignite strain within their countries and reduce the likelihood these 'elements' will not cross into their neighbors territory.

A pie in the sky philosophy, Perhaps? I however believe in mankinds ability to recognize and reason and than resort to whatever is necessary. Sign me: One man's view.

[Roysan]

NUTS!

[Susan from 29]

Congratulations to President Obama and to the United States for this recognition that we all must live on the same planet together and must therefore work to get along in a manner that profits us all.

I don't understand why any American would not welcome this recognition or fail to feel pride in its leader.

[Ash]

Gee the man gets the Nobel Peace Prize and he is getting ready to send 40k troops to Afghanistan! Uh, I'm going so far as to say that the color of skin had a lot to do with the nom an win.

[Ashra]

Obama faces the downside ? Think of the downside the whole world faces with every originization that is supposed to be unbiased , rational , above politics falling to its lowest levels UN , Nobel Comittee. Think of all the people before and after Obama receiving the award , what is the value? Oh yes after 30 years of working in war torn countries , risking your life between bombs and missiles , stabilizing lives of refugees you get the same award as that of a Obama surrounded by his security forces , touring the war nations from the safe distance of a flight achieved in a month after his election to White House. Yes Obama we need change , a bit of intellect a bit of atleast commonsense that would make a big difference.

[howardx]

it would be nice if it didnt take 5 hours to get a comment past the moderator, not much discussion going on the way it is now.

[El Guapo de la ciudad de los angeles]

Almost as important as the VMA or Grammy awards.

[El Guapo de la ciudad de los angeles]

I wonder if he has to give the award back if we bomb Iran.

[El Guapo de la ciudad de los angeles]

Tears of happiness are rolling down my cheek that Jesus er Obama just got European approval to implement their world agenda. God Bless those Viking hordes and thank god for the invention of the explosive dynamite.

[emenot]

WHO'S PAYING FOR THIS ACCEPTING TRIP?

If Obama is accepting the prize as a personal reward, he should pay himself!

If Obama is accepting the prizes for the country, then the country should pay instead!

The ball is in your court, Mr. President!

[emenot]

Obama won the World Series, he threw out the first pitch!

[SPURWING PLOVER]

The entire peace prize commity should be sent to the spicemines of kessel for life