Obama is the first “black” American president, has good rhetorical skills, and he “means well.” Simple as that. — Ed.
The announcement drew gasps of surprise and cries of too much, too soon. Yet President Barack Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday because the judges found his promise of disarmament and diplomacy too good to ignore.
The five-member Norwegian Nobel Committee— four of whom spoke to The Associated Press, said awarding Obama thepeace prize could be seen as an early vote of confidence intended tobuild global support for the policies of his young administration.
Theylauded the change in global mood wrought by Obama’s calls for peace andcooperation, and praised his pledges to reduce the world stock ofnuclear arms, ease U.S. conflicts with Muslim nations and strengthenits role in combating climate change.
“Let me be clear: I do not view it as a recognition of my ownaccomplishments, but rather as an affirmation of American leadership onbehalf of aspirations held by people in all nations,” he said at the White House.”To be honest, I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of somany of the transformative figures who’ve been honored by this prize.”