Obama's Nobel Peace Prize: Does He Deserve It? (POLL)

The stunning announcement that President Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize has inspired strong reactions across the country from pride to outrage, confusion to happiness.

The news has already stirred up a political firestorm with a Republican attack on Obama inspiring an over-the-top reaction from the Democratic National Committee.

How do you feel?

Quick Poll

Do you feel that President Obama deserved the Nobel Peace Prize?

Yes, he's an inspiration to the world

Maybe

No, it's way too soon for this type of honor

Share your vote on Facebook so your friends can take this poll

Comments

[Grim Truth]

47% on a far left site. Very telling.

[CauseAndEffectPost]

Obama fits in well with other tyrants and butchers who've won the "peace" prize like Teddy Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and Henry Kissenger. Seems the more innocents you murder with your armies, the more you become worthy of the "prestigious" prize.

[Nathan Nash]

I'm confused are you talking about Bush or Obama?

[CauseAndEffectPost]

That's exactly my point.

[ChelseaC]

I feel he will deserves the prize to work to end the wars we're enmeshed in and to work with other leaders to rid the world of nuclear weapons.
At first I thought it was too soon--he didn't derserve it, but this prize is a political statement against the former administration. I think Obama obtaining the prize is good as I hope it will influence his direction in these wars as well as his stand on health care--- the world is watching. We can't be seen as peacemakers if we continue to allow the death of over 44,000 per year for lack of money. This is in direct opposition to a nation of peace.

[CauseAndEffectPost]

Obama's working to end the wars? Really? Coulda fooled me and the Pakistani, Afghan, Somali, and Iraqi women and children his missile strikes and occupation forces have murdered over the past several months.

And, in case you haven't been reading the news, he's currently burning the midnight oil on just how much BIGGER to make the Afghan war and how many more drones to fly over Pakistan.

Seems the libertarians are the only thing left of the anti-war movement. Very sad how easily you all are swayed.

[graffitijoe]

Will it be a disappointment now every year that he doesn't win it? I mean, next year, what if he does "more to deserve it" than he did this year - and it wouldn't take much - but they don't give it to him?

[ChelseaC]

Sorry, my post is a mess as I'm not feeling very well.

[ChelseaC]

Nobody should win every year.

[Marrymeplease]

Congratulation President Obama.

[PlayTOE]

On his first day in office, President Obama made it clear that the war in Iraq was "over" and the USA was pulling out with the elected Iraqi government taking over control of the country.

This is the most stunning act of peacemaking we have seen.

Did he deserve the Nobel prize?
YES

and on merit, not just on inspirational leadership.

[DrToketee]

The Swedish Academy is going for the Guiness Book of Records category for the world's longest joke: how long will it take after the joke's been told for the listeners to get it?

A few listeners - particularly gays - will start hissing tonight when Obama gives a speech supporting gay rights and then refuse to repeal DADT right then and there. Others in the weeks ahead will see a glimpse of the humor when Congress passes a health care reform bill that will do practically nothing for the average American health care consumer. More will start to giggle in the months ahead as they lose their jobs and their houses to foreclosure when no strong regulations on banks and corporations have been passed. And still others will - about a year from now - begin to guffah when we still have over a hundred thousand troops in Iraq and soldiers still dying in Afganistan.

So I can only hope that a large majority start rolling in the aisles by the time of the Presidential primaries in early 2012. Swedish Academy, I think you've got the record in the bag.

[swift goat pet for truth]

Obviously you did not read the article.
Norwegians make the Peace Prize decision, not the Swedes.
Perhaps you do not know the difference.

Nevertheless, it should be no surprise that Norwegian Socialists have little interest in the philosophical ideals of American Neocons. Nor much for American Progressives, I would think.

And, since you think they have been a joke for such a long time, why should you care at all?

Protests too much, methinks.

[DrToketee]

"Perhaps you do not know the difference."

Perhaps I don't really give a damn.

[edwarvir]

He DESERVED IT, He probably is going to win
it again, before his term is up He's Simply the Best

[swift goat pet for truth]

I have no problem with him winning it this time.
He had indeed changed the tone of diplomacy all over the world.

Nevertheless, the next time, I hope it is for actual accomplishments.

[ChelseaC]

swiftgoat,
well said.

[PaxEterna]

I think it premature . . . and also manipulative. I think the world community does NOT want him to send more troops to Afghanistan. This award is going to make it very difficult for him to escalate. In other words, the Nobel Committee is playing politics. Somehow that does not fee right to me.

[MacQ]

You're correct. It's the European stamp of approval. Not necessarily the American one (although he got that in the election from half the people, and it remains to be seen whether he gets it again).

He therefore does deserve it, as he has acted (well spoken anyway) in a way that they wholly approve of. Many Europeans would like to see America be less powerful and less a bunch of freerange cowboys than we are. Sharing more of our wealth too.
Of course there are many Europeans who quake in their boots at the thought of a weak America. They're the ones who have been liberated by America. But the ones who remember that are getting old now...

[swift goat pet for truth]

If he decides to send troops somewhere or other for truly American interests, I do not think this prize will figure in the decision.

[MacQ]

You mean now that he's got his prize, he can do what he wants. That's consistent.

[DrToketee]

Wait until Obama shows his true cowardice and punts on the gay rights in the army issue in his speech today ... this poll will then start reversing ...

[docallen001]

He did not become President by being strategically dumb. He knows he has to get health care through before he takes on gay rights in military issue - why are you fixated on army? Obama has also indicated he wants it done right through legislation and not by presidential orders, etc. Doing gay rights now will just get the right wing nuts in a tizzy and make healthcare more difficult to pass.

[ChelseaC]

DrToketee,
The speech went well.

[cjk002]

Well, you missed that one.

You got any other prognostications on the future for us Nostradamus?

[CaptainHowdy2]

Interesting planet that we live on where k.i.l.l.i.n.g people daily, in several Middle Eastern countries, garners you a "peace prize".

[firstdawg]

Some of you people are really bright, he didn’t start this mess but alter ten months with everything else going on it all ends. It took eight long years to really screw up the world but were where you then, where you speaking out then, STHU and give the man a chance and remember what he said ( I need your help ) to bring about change.

[swift goat pet for truth]

Perhaps the Nobel selectors were not looking for perfect people.
Merely great ideals.

[OOOOOMY]

No for Nobel Prize. To me President Barack Obama has traits that could resemble a Pathological Narcissist...Now we could disagree and that is fine...However, if this is possible...in winning this prize which most all the world seem to agree ask WHY? is a reasonable assumptions with validity....and as a result, as I said in this prize could further enhance his sense of power....Look it up yourselves Narcissist Personality Disorder.

[msjimmied]

Really? Give us some examples...don't be a closet shrink now, really open yourself up!

[ChelseaC]

OOOOOMY,
Don't hold back, tell us how you really feel.

[cjk002]

Do you have any info on the psychological profile of internet armchair psychoanalysts?

[useyourbrain]

.....In Nobels' own will, written at Paris in 1895 and reproduced on the official Nobel website, he laid out the standard to be applied in annually awarding each of the five prizes (physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, peace). For the Peace Prize, he wrote that it should go.....

"to the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses."

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jackson-williams/alfred-nobels-last-will-a_b_316055.html

[swift goat pet for truth]

Thanks.

Good quote. Good link.

[dfranz]

Look at it from the rest of the world's perspective:

For 8 years they had to endure George Bush and his Bush Doctrine of pre-emptive war while he had his finger on the button to unleash enough destruction to destroy the world 70 times over. He went out of his way to be arrogant and dismissive of other nations, especially France.

Now they have a president who operates with reason and logic. Obama ended the rendition & torture program 3 days after being sworn in. He decided not to deploy the missles Bush intended for Poland. He called out the United Nations in his speech.

Considering the possible outcomes, why wouldn't they give the Peace prize to Obama? The optimism about him is why the US went from 7th in the poll for most admired nations to 1st this year. Screw the Republicans, this prize says a lot about our country and about them.

[DoTheMath]

When I heard that the Nobel Peace Prize was going to be announced, the only name that came to my mind was Barack Obama. I'll admit that I assumed the committee would probably not award him the prize this year because he is just getting started and has not yet made his mark on major diplomatic fronts such as Afghanistan.

Still, he has already proved himself as a force for peace with his consistent, high-profile, thoughtful efforts to build bridges instead of burning them, to find win-win solutions instead of striving to win by defeating others, to deal with all people as human beings instead of dehumanizing particular groups or cultures, to look past habitual animosities and knee-jerk reactions to find practical solutions that really serve our best interests instead of our preconceived notions of retaliation, punishment, etc.

Of course, he's not a magician. No one is suggesting that his good intentions, speeches, or even policies can instantly, or even eventually, turn the whole world into a safe, peaceful, positive place. However, I think the the Nobel committee is trying to tell us that approaching leadership with that goal, that intelligently, consistently working toward peace and cooperation, that truly valuing peace and mutual respect and cooperation, and choosing each action, each policy with those values is mind is worthwhile. It may not guarantee success, but approaching leadership WITHOUT that goal, without those values, does guarantee the failure of diplomacy, cooperation, mutual respect, and peace.