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My reaction when Lisa told me Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize: "For what?!" That's a point of view shared by many Americans, even those in his corner.
[The best snarky reaction I've read? "Where's Kanye West when you need him?"]
Keep in mind that the nominations for the Prize closed on February 1st, which meant that Obama's administration was all of 12 days old when the committee felt The One was worthy of the honor. 288 hours, with at least the first 24 devoted to dinner and dancing.
Ah, but Oslo didn't award the Prize based on accomplishments, saying "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."
In other words, it's just a high profile political endorsement.
After the first wave of genuine shock, and no doubt a glance at the calendar to see if it was April 1st, there were hesitant predictions from the Left that the Nobel win could help Obama push through health care and aid in ending the war in Afghanistan. Apparently, the idea is the award will legitimize his efforts and give heft to his arguements.
Yeaaaah.
It makes more sense to say it'll be more difficult for him to do what needs doing - how can you win the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday and send in 40,000 more troops to Afghanistan the next day?
In reality, it'll probably do nothing to aid or hurt him, other than costing him a small share of voters made uneasy by the Cult of Personality. Oh, and of course, it furthers the decay of the awards legitimacy, but if Norway doesn't care, why should we?
Kudos, btw, for the hyperbole from DNC Communications Director Brad Woodhouse: “The Republican Party has thrown in its lot with the terrorists – the Taliban and Hamas this morning – in criticizing the President for receiving the Nobel Peace prize."
Remember kiddies, criticism is only patriotic when its directed at a Republican!
[Note: For his part, the President said "I am both surprised and deeply humbled [by winning the Prize]." Hmmm. I'll give him the former, but call b.s. on the humble bit. That man's ego isn't capable of recording a hit.]
Yea, it confused me too and I'm an avid Obama supporter.
ReplyDeleteI think it was a bit premature, to say the least.
Confused me a tad as well. I agree it looks wierd to get the NPP just before sending in ucco bunches troops. Also agree that it was a bit premature. Prez Obama will certainly have to pedal harder to live up to it.
ReplyDeleteThing is, the Nobel Peace Prize was devised by the guy who invented TNT to smooth his way into heaven.