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October 9, 2009

Barack Obama Wins Nobel Peace Prize

Barack Obama Wins Nobel Peace Prize

President Barack Obama has won this year's Nobel Peace Prize "for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples," the Awards Committee announced Friday morning in Oslo. "He has created a new international climate," a statement said.

According to the White House, President Obama is humbled by the award.

The selection is considered a surprise since his name was not under speculation before the announcement. The committee said, "We are awarding Obama for what he has done. Many other people and leaders and nations have to respond in a positive way about President Obama's diplomacy."

Thorbjorn Jagland, Chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee and a former Prime Minister of Norway, told the press that Obama is being awarded for his past efforts, not future. Jagland said, "We are not awarding the prize for what may happen in the future, but for what he has done in the previous year. We would hope this will enhance what he is trying to do."

The only other sitting U.S. presidents to win the honor were Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson. Jimmy Carter earned the Nobel Peace Prize after he served.

President Obama photo gallery

NEXT: Taylor Lautner Gets Wet n' Wild

 

For all of the negative comments, you guys ought to be ashamed of yourselves. Makes no sense. They gave the award for: “his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples,” is how they put it. Key word being effort. For him to make it this far with getting leaders that are enemies to talk come together is a great accomplishment in the step towards peace. The vote was unaninimous, and people over in foreign countries view these things with a different eye than our sometimes self-absorbed and ‘superficial’ selves. So many things happen abroad that a lot of us are unaware of or don’t care about. To always garner peace talks is a big deal to war torn countries and those nearby. He has a big voice and he uses it. People do listen. Yes we can.


- Cynthia
Posted 10/15/09 01:37 PM
 

Come on Extra. I know he bow at the Obama shrine but this is not the forum for this type of crap. Everyone, to include those who gave him this award, know that this was done as a slap to President Bush. Obama has told more lies and accomplished nothing he has promised in the nine months he has been in office. Knowing that you slant left I doubt you will post this.


- Vera
Posted 10/10/09 07:46 PM
 

Why is this on Extra? It is politics, not entertainment!


- pokadot
Posted 10/10/09 12:24 PM
 

For what he only been in office for 9months is it premature


- spaceed out
Posted 10/09/09 09:12 PM
 

i just thought i hears it all..tell now!!what a shame for all those who worked so hard and ddint get it.i truly would respect him alot if he just calle \d them up and said please i want someone who has worked hard for this to win..but he woont it like the lime light like a star


- dorothy
Posted 10/09/09 03:46 PM
 

This is crazy, how do you expect to fight racisim, if we are going to give out the Nobel Prize for being black. He has done nothing to deserve it, how can HE, Obama, except this award without feeling low. if he truly cares, he would reject it knowing there are those that truly deserve it.


- sidney
Posted 10/09/09 03:02 PM
 

From what I read this award was voted on Two Weeks after Obama was sworn in. How much do you think it cost for him to get it?


- ColoradoRob
Posted 10/09/09 01:05 PM
 

The only way this makes sense is if he was up against Kanye West.


- Bree
Posted 10/09/09 07:52 AM
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