Nobel Peace Prize

I can't see this doing anything more than confirming Obama-haters in their belief that he gets far too much of an easy ride:

US President Barack Obama has won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. The Nobel Committee said he was awarded it for "his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and co-operation between peoples".

The committee highlighted Mr Obama's efforts to strengthen international bodies and promote nuclear disarmament.

It's a touch premature, to say the very least. But then again the peace prize always was something of a joke.

As the Sky News reporter said: "Barack Obama has won the prize for not being George Bush".

Comments

[Alec]

I have no doubt this played a part, but there's also the basic idiocy of the Norwegian cultural and intellectual elite. Tsvangari failed to get it in 2008 as well; and in 2007, Irena Sendler, who'd had all her limbs broken rather than betray Jewish children in 1942 Poland, lost out to someone who did a powerpoint presentation.

[Dom]

Apparently, the nominating process ended on Feb 1. Obama had been in office only about 2 weeks, and I sure didn't see any "extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and co-operation between peoples" in that time.

And I'm not an Obama-hater.

[Alec]

Also, Mick, I would add what the 1976 laureates have gone on to do.

[Dom]

This is too much:

http://timesonline.typepad.com/comment/2009/10/nobel-prize-winners.html

I really dislike the Guardian for the usual reasons, but I'll assume it wasn't intentional.

[DaninVan]

Conventionally, awards go to people who have actually accomplished something.
The Nobel Peace Prize is an embarrassment.