Obama awarded 2009 Nobel Peace Prize

[Niels Bohr 72]

(CNN) -- President Obama was awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday.

The first African-American to win the White House, Obama was praised by the Norwegian Nobel Committee for "his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples."

"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," the committee said. "His diplomacy is founded in the concept that those who are to lead the world must do so on the basis of values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world's population."

The committee also said Obama has "created a new climate in international politics."

The announcement came as a surprise -- Obama's name had not been mentioned among front-runners -- and the roomful of reporters in Oslo, Norway, gasped when he was named.

In his short time in office, Obama has acted on a wide range of issues from the economy to terrorism and wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Obama also lobbied unsuccessfully to bring the 2016 Olympics to Chicago, Illinois. After returning from Denmark, Obama expressed no regret about his trip, saying it is "always a worthwhile endeavor to promote and boost the United States."

Former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari, last year's Peace Prize laureate, said it was clear the Nobel committee wanted to encourage Obama on the issues he has been discussing on the world stage.

"I see this as an important encouragement," Ahtisaari said.

The committee wanted to be "far more daring" than in recent times and make an impact on global politics, said Kristian Berg Harpviken, director of the International Peace Research Institute.

Wangari Muta Maathai, the Kenyan who won the 2004 Peace Prize, said Obama's win will help Africa move forward.

"I think it is extraordinary," she said. "It will be even greater inspiration for the world. He has shown how we can probably come together, work together in a cooperative way."

The award comes at a crucial time for Obama, who has administration officials dispatched on global peace missions.

Obama's envoy to the Middle East, George Mitchell, has returned to the region to advocate for peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. Mitchell met Thursday with Israeli President Shimon Peres. He plans to meet Friday with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before talking with Palestinian leaders in the West Bank.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton starts a six-day trip to Europe and Russia on Friday. On the trip, the secretary will discuss the next steps on Iran and North Korea, and international efforts to have the two countries end their nuclear programs.

The centerpiece of the trip will be her visit to Moscow, where she will work toward an agreement to take the place of the Start II arms control pact, which expires December 5. She will also address the new bilateral presidential commission that is working on a broad range of issues, from arms control to health.

Obama became the third sitting U.S. president to win the prestigious prize. Jimmy Carter was the fourth American leader to win, but he was long out of office when he was recognized in 2002.

This year's peace prize nominees included 172 people and 33 organizations, the highest number of nominations ever. The committee does not release the names of the nominees.

The Nobel recipient receives a prize of about $1.4 million.

[sly_wolf 199]

(CNN) -- President Obama was awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday.

The first African-American to win the White House, Obama was praised by the Norwegian Nobel Committee for "his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples."

"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," the committee said. "His diplomacy is founded in the concept that those who are to lead the world must do so on the basis of values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world's population."

The committee also said Obama has "created a new climate in international politics."

The announcement came as a surprise -- Obama's name had not been mentioned among front-runners -- and the roomful of reporters in Oslo, Norway, gasped when he was named.

In his short time in office, Obama has acted on a wide range of issues from the economy to terrorism and wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Obama also lobbied unsuccessfully to bring the 2016 Olympics to Chicago, Illinois. After returning from Denmark, Obama expressed no regret about his trip, saying it is "always a worthwhile endeavor to promote and boost the United States."

Former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari, last year's Peace Prize laureate, said it was clear the Nobel committee wanted to encourage Obama on the issues he has been discussing on the world stage.

"I see this as an important encouragement," Ahtisaari said.

The committee wanted to be "far more daring" than in recent times and make an impact on global politics, said Kristian Berg Harpviken, director of the International Peace Research Institute.

Wangari Muta Maathai, the Kenyan who won the 2004 Peace Prize, said Obama's win will help Africa move forward.

"I think it is extraordinary," she said. "It will be even greater inspiration for the world. He has shown how we can probably come together, work together in a cooperative way."

The award comes at a crucial time for Obama, who has administration officials dispatched on global peace missions.

Obama's envoy to the Middle East, George Mitchell, has returned to the region to advocate for peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. Mitchell met Thursday with Israeli President Shimon Peres. He plans to meet Friday with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before talking with Palestinian leaders in the West Bank.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton starts a six-day trip to Europe and Russia on Friday. On the trip, the secretary will discuss the next steps on Iran and North Korea, and international efforts to have the two countries end their nuclear programs.

The centerpiece of the trip will be her visit to Moscow, where she will work toward an agreement to take the place of the Start II arms control pact, which expires December 5. She will also address the new bilateral presidential commission that is working on a broad range of issues, from arms control to health.

Obama became the third sitting U.S. president to win the prestigious prize. Jimmy Carter was the fourth American leader to win, but he was long out of office when he was recognized in 2002.

This year's peace prize nominees included 172 people and 33 organizations, the highest number of nominations ever. The committee does not release the names of the nominees.

The Nobel recipient receives a prize of about $1.4 million.

Very nice!

This good news will get under some people's skin

[Ban Hammer 13,395]

only what, the 3rd thread about this now?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

There's a new tone in Washington, D.C. that seeks to re-integrate the US into the international community and return the institutions created to foster peace and international cooperation to the center of the world stage. As an American, I am proud that the head of my country has been selected for this prestigious award. Congratulations, Mr. President.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

There's a new tone in Washington, D.C. that seeks to re-integrate the US into the international community and return the institutions created to foster peace and international cooperation to the center of the world stage. As an American, I am proud that the head of my country has been selected for this prestigious award. Congratulations, Mr. President.

Meaningless platitudes, signifiying nothing and well in keeping with the spirit of the award.

[alienlovechild 75]

There's a new tone in Washington, D.C. that seeks to re-integrate the US into the international community and return the institutions created to foster peace and international cooperation to the center of the world stage. As an American, I am proud that the head of my country has been selected for this prestigious award.

For the first time in my adult life, I'm ashamed to be an American. Why not just give Obama the medal for playing basketball at the Special Olympics?

Fostered peace in Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan. . . oh so many places our man of peace has made all Obama followers proud.

[Niels Bohr 72]

There's a new tone in Washington, D.C. that seeks to re-integrate the US into the international community and return the institutions created to foster peace and international cooperation to the center of the world stage. As an American, I am proud that the head of my country has been selected for this prestigious award.

For the first time in my adult life, I'm ashamed to be an American. Why not just give Obama the medal for playing basketball at the Special Olympics?

Fostered peace in Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan. . . oh so many places our man of peace has made all Obama followers proud.

Yep. I think those who think ill of the Prez should be ashamed. Only a small group wing nuts here in the forums. Not many.

Edited October 9, 2009 by Niels Bohr

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

For the first time in my adult life, I'm ashamed to be an American.

That's not true and you know it. You and all the other militant right wing nuts have been ashamed ever since he won the election in November last year. At least try to be honest if that's not too much to ask.

[alienlovechild 75]

For the first time in my adult life, I'm ashamed to be an American.

That's not true and you know it. You and all the other militant right wing nuts have been ashamed ever since he won the election in November last year. At least try to be honest if that's not too much to ask.

I was being as honest as our First Lady when talked about being proud of being an American for the first time in her adult life (after her husband ran for president). Patriotism from her is as believable as a ####### saying, "I love you".

[ddartt1 2]

There's a new tone in Washington, D.C. that seeks to re-integrate the US into the international community and return the institutions created to foster peace and international cooperation to the center of the world stage. As an American, I am proud that the head of my country has been selected for this prestigious award. Congratulations, Mr. President.

[Ban Hammer 13,395]

For the first time in my adult life, I'm ashamed to be an American.

That's not true and you know it. You and all the other militant right wing nuts have been ashamed ever since he won the election in November last year. At least try to be honest if that's not too much to ask.

I was being as honest as our First Lady when talked about being proud of being an American for the first time in her adult life (after her husband ran for president). Patriotism from her is as believable as a ####### saying, "I love you".

[luckytxn 2,264]

only what, the 3rd thread about this now?

Sheep are rather dim witted and happy about it.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

There's a new tone in Washington, D.C. that seeks to re-integrate the US into the international community and return the institutions created to foster peace and international cooperation to the center of the world stage. As an American, I am proud that the head of my country has been selected for this prestigious award. Congratulations, Mr. President.

Well to be honest, I do think its a bit overboard.

Essentially what they seem to be saying is that Obama deserves the award because he isn't the almost universally despised George W. Bush.

[Niels Bohr 72]

Republican are rather dim witted for thinking GOD=SCIENCE.

[Ban Hammer 13,395]

Republican are rather dim witted for thinking GOD=SCIENCE.

ergo, if anyone believes in god they must be republican?