The 2009 Nobel Peace Prize Winner
U.S. President Barack Obama Joins a Distinguished Group
Oct 10, 2009
In a somewhat stunning announcement, the 2009 Nobel Prize for Peace was awarded to U.S. President Barack H. Obama II who in a live television broadcast on MSNBC said, "I am surprised and deeply humbled by the decision of the Nobel committee. Let me be clear that I do not view this 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." The U.S. President went on to say, "To be honest I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many of the transformative figures who have been honored by this prize...Men and women who have inspired me and inspired the entire world...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," Obama said.
Reaction to the Nobel Committee Announcement Mixed
In an interview on CBS's Early Show, CBS News Chief Washington correspondent Bob Schieffer, said "Include me in that group that was surprised by this...My first reaction was, what? I don't think anyone expected this." However, the Norwegian Nobel Committee stated in their announcement as read by the chairman Thorbjorn Jagland, that the 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 and work for a world without nuclear weapons.
Political strategist and CNN political contributor Paul Begala maintains that President Obama's Nobel Peace Prize should be viewed as a good thing for all Americans. In his weekly column for CNN he writes, "For an American president to win the Nobel Peace Prize can only be good for the U.S. The Republican right needs to understand that and not repeat its performance of last week...[cheering] when America lost the Olympics."
As for leaders from around the world, their reaction was mostly positive, Mikhail Gorbachev, the former Soviet leader commented that, "[Obama's] efforts have helped to bring about a significant change in the international climate." Kofi Annan, the former UN Secretary-general called it, "an unexpected but inspired choice." Afghan President Hamid Karzai said, "We recognize and commend President Obama's vision and leadership with a hope that peace and normalcy will return to Afghanistan and our region." Wangari Muta Maathai, a former Nobel Peace Prize winner in 2004 from President Obama's ancestral homeland of Kenya, commented that, "He has shown how we can probably come together, work together in a cooperative way."
Many Former Winners Say Winning Nobel Changes Your Life
Only three sitting U.S. Presidents have won the Nobel Peace Prize, and a fourth former President Jimmy Carter won when he was well out of office. According to Carter and other former winners when you win this award it tends to change your life. Many are hopeful that President Obama just stays the course and continues his initiatives towards peace. With the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and simmering tensions regarding the nuclear ambitions of both Iran and North Korea, remaining on the path for peace may prove difficult indeed.
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