Mocking that President Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize for "awesomeness," GOP chief Michael Steele sent a fundraising letter out shortly after Friday's announcement. Steele said "truly patriotic Americans" should donate to prevent world domination.
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GOP’s Michael Steele tries to make money from Obama’s Nobel prize
By Jimmy Orr | 10.10.09
Score one for creativity…
President Obama wins the Nobel Peace Prize and Republican National Committee chief Michael Steele is trying to make money off of it.
No, he’s not going to go all “commando” on the White House and try to wrest it away from the president in hopes of putting it up on Ebay or anything.
Instead, he found it so ridiculous that Obama was awarded the honor that he’s using it as a fundraising tool. Steele sent out an email late last night not only lampooning the award but asking “truly patriotic Americans” to ante up to fight the forces of world domination.
“The Democrats and their international leftist allies want America made subservient to the agenda of global redistribution and control,” Steele wrote. “And truly patriotic Americans like you and our Republican Party are the only thing standing in their way.”
Steele seemed to disagree with the Nobel Peace Prize committee’s reasoning for awarding him the honor. The committee said Obama deserved the award because of his “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.”
Steele, on the other hand, opined that Obama won the award for “awesomeness” — before trashing the whole affair.
“It’s a stunning, if not truly surprising, indication of just how meaningless a once honorable and respected award has become,” Steele wrote.
Steele is not alone in his surprise. As we told you earlier today, many people — supporters and opponents — don’t quite understand it. In fact, it’s made some strange bedfellows. Rush Limbaugh and the Taliban, for example, are united in their consternation.
It’s not as though the talk show host and the Taliban released a joint statement expressing their thoughts. But Limbaugh noted that they were aligned.
“Folks, do you realize something has happened here that we all agree with the Taliban and Iran about and that is he doesn’t deserve the award,” he said. “Now that’s hilarious, that I’m on the same side of something with the Taliban, and that we all are on the same side as the Taliban.”
The Taliban, on the other hand, didn’t mention Limbaugh in their remarks — although that would have made their comments more interesting. Instead, a spokesman (incidentally from an undisclosed location), said Obama’s actions in Afghanistan should disqualify him.
“We have seen no change in his strategy for peace. He has done nothing for peace in Afghanistan,” a Taliban spokesman told the AFP. “We condemn the award of the Nobel Peace Prize for Obama.”
If you’d like to watch Obama’s speech yesterday discussing the honor, click here. Or you can watch a more emotional acceptance speech from the Oscars below.
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Hey, we’ll never condemn you for winning any prize! Unless it’s one that we should have received. So follow us on Twitter!
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4. Joyce Becker | 10.10.09
Leave it to those fool Republicans trying to make money he dishonest way.
6. romeo unix | 10.10.09
I would say the RNC chairman has nothing better to carry on about. Our country needs to come together. Both political parties are tearing this country apart. Is this what we want to teach our kids? Why can’t you just be happy for the President. Does everything need to be so complex.
Next thing you know the President will be blamed for all the economic woes the country got into and the Republicans who ran this country for the last 8 years did a tremendous job.
Sad to see what some of you are there are becoming - Polarized
7. Susan | 10.10.09
There are good Republicans. And there are nasty ones. Why do the latter fail to learn the lesson, “when you’re in a hole, stop digging”?
9. luke bohannon | 10.10.09
This is what has become of us. Our president wins a nobel prize and immediately the other side of the aisle comes out and mocks it. This is so sad, so maddening, but then so numbing also. If this passes without a firestorm of anger from the decent folk of the GOP, this country is screwed. Our partisanship and cynicism will destroy all effort, all hard work and all that is good about a democracy. When will we remember that even if we are on different sides of the aisle, we are on the same team.
10. julescator | 10.10.09
The RNC ran out to get their very own Obama. What they got was Kanye West on Steroids. Open mouth, Steele, and insert foot over and over again. This President is working hard FOR this country. Michael Steele and his party are working Against America.
12. Oy | 10.10.09
It’s not Obama’s fault. He probably wishes it hadn’t happened. Having said that, the fact that his policies are liked by those fruitcakes sends off red flags in my mind.
13. Karl Kemerait | 10.10.09
You know, I don’t quite understand why President Obama won the award myself, and I am an admirerer of the man. That aside, it seems that maybe some of his detractors might take a lesson from family politics. I might disagree with my wife about something, and we might debate about it for days, but we stand united to the outside world and set our differences aside. I have to wonder about the common sense of most of the GOP and some liberals as well who, while they have a right to disagree and to voice that disagreement, seem to have no problem being disrespectful to the man and critical of him to the rest of world.
14. Paul Stewart | 10.10.09
“Folks, do you realize something has happened here that we all agree with the Taliban and Iran about and that is he doesn’t deserve the award,” he said. “Now that’s hilarious, that I’m on the same side of something with the Taliban, and that we all are on the same side as the Taliban.”
Indeed, it is no surprise, it seems you are made of the same stuff. Inciting Americans against their own President’s success and against the efforts of world leaders to gain a greater level of peace and civility. I am starting to think the likes of Limbaugh and the Taliban and the bottom fishing Republicans are maybe cut from the same cloth….. The only difference is that they wear western clothes and business suits…..
15. maurice johnson | 10.10.09
Don’t you think the republicans just wish micheal steele (the puppet) would only speak for himself and stop embarassing the party with his ridiculous comments. Maybe he should have rush limbaugh’s job.
16. Rhianna | 10.10.09
Michael Steele is doing his job as RNC Chairman. I have a lot of respect for the man and little respect for people who don’t make allowances for differing opinions. Julescator…. speaking of working against the president… I suppose GWB had your full support while in office, right?
17. Rennie | 10.10.09
I am no longer a Republican because of the likes of Michael Steele. He is ruining the party and making them look so silly. It is a shame that his party cannot even support the President for at least the first year, but no, the party is so sore in losing the last election. By his actions the Republican party has not where to go except down.
18. Kie | 10.10.09
The GOP is going to whine and cry over anything positive accomplished by the Democrats. Just shows how immature they are.
19. Michaela | 10.10.09
Over and over again it is shocking how truly ignorant or sadly underexposed so many Americans seem to be: how on this earth - yes, I mean This Earth and not just the United States - could any human being react like Michael Steele ?? Like a small, pittiful, jealous, pathetic, uneducated fool that cannot see beyond his own nose! Get over it, GOP, you lost the last elections because of specific reasons. If you want to win again some day, you may have to change! Really, it is sickening for us ‘commoners’ to have to watch you, our leaders, behave like egotistical little children. The moment one of you gets elected, you seem to forget that you are supposed to work for US and not the other way round. You are supposed to do what is best for this country and not just rigidly adhere to a completely outdated point of view or serve some lobbyists! Because Barack Obama still seems to be holding on to the thought of hope and that good will outlast evil, you react stubbornly. You know he has a brilliant mind - and you don’t.
20. Conservative Crusader | 10.10.09
The demoliberals are nothing more than whining saps. Obama did absolutely nothing to win the Nobel Peace “Prize” (and I use that term loosely). The nominations for this year’s winner were closed on February 1, 2009. Obama was the President all of 11 days when the nominations closed. What could he possibly have done to earn this “honor” in 11 days? He was still learning where the bathroom was in the White House. It’s a fix and it cheapens the value of the prize.
21. Brian | 10.10.09
Good job Steele, you just made an *** of yourself. I can see now why Democrats are in control of the country again.
22. Greg | 10.10.09
So basically he’s saying that “truly patriotic Americans” are hard-headed, uneducated bigots that don’t support our president under any circumstances? He’s won the Nobel prize for a reason, and it seems that some of us remember all the work he’s been doing to rid of nukes in Iran and take wars where they belong. But I guess we’re not patriotic since we like our president and we’re glad that he’s won this award and we’re thrilled that the world seems to like us again. I’m afraid of where we’re going socially as a country where you’re only a patriotic American if you hate your leader and don’t care what the world thinks of you.
24. Dave9 | 10.10.09
It’s basically a backhanded slap at the last administration:
“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 said of Obama.
Bush and Cheney were certainly disconnected from the American people and the world at large (Cheney was in fact proud of it.)
25. kay b | 10.10.09
I’m sick that the Republicans seem to have lost their middle; even the chair is sinking to the lows previously set by G Beck and Limbaugh. The thing that makes me feel the sickest, however, is that this tactic seems to work on the people they’re talking to.
26. Duende | 10.10.09
It’s like Jon Stewart said recently, “conservatives hate Obama more than they love America.”
27. aleXander | 10.10.09
We need a new second, maybe third and fourth, party - because Republicans are becoming more and more inconsequential by the day - becoming nothing more than a loud voicebox for the least informed and the most easily scared and manipulated.
The clowns of Fox (how does the FCC allow that to be called “news”?) Sarah Palin, Michael Steele. . . indeed the blind leading the blinded. The era of their greed powered ignorance is ending - and they are going down crying and screeching.
As these folks present it, the Republican party has nothing to stand on - their only platform is being negatively reactionary to the (much needed) changes that are happening to a country that was allowed to nearly sink in the last 8 years under the worst, greediest, administration EVER.
28. carmen | 10.10.09
Poor Michael Steele crying like a little baby, cause President Obama won again!!!!!
29. Barbara H. | 10.10.09
Does Steele not care how stupid these comments make him look? More to the point, how stupid does he think the rest of Americans are to fall for his lack of logic? The same goes for Rush. I sometimes wonder how long this Era of Stupidity will last in the U.S. To have TV, radio and print publications filled with such nonsense is proof that this country’s schools taught nothing of value to these men and women. They should be glad that we don’t send people to prison for expressing their stupidity.
30. Retnan | 10.10.09
If the taliban says the sky is blue are you on the wrong side for feeling the same way. Come the **** on.
Different reasons for feeling the same way, ie democrats and real conservative both hate Bush for different reasons. So what.
You libs are something else. So now disagreeing with POTUS is ‘unpatriotic’ huh? You make me sick.
31. Eric Lyte | 10.10.09
If were going to question the NPP award to Obama, why arent we discussing the motive or reasoning behind those who gave it? What a joke, a man is elected by the people and is just trying to do his job as best he can, then receives an award that he never expected, and he is condemned by his country(by some). Welcome to America, were glad you came, sit down and we will tell you your faults and shortcomings and in no time youll want to leave.
32. noella | 10.10.09
It’s disgusting that Americans don’t have the descency to be happy for their own president.
33. local joe | 10.10.09
Mr Steele, its a stunning, if not surprising indication of just how meaningless you and your party’s leadership has become. More compelling pleas for money are made every night on paid programming, than your attempt to capitalize on the Nobel Prize award.
34. Elliot | 10.10.09
To Mr.Michael steele i think that everyone knows that President Obama won the election since anyone in office is being used as a scape goat.There is no way that this president or any other president could get this country on track as it was when president Clinton was in office. I believe president Obamas political career is going to suffer a great deal if it is not completely destroyed.He has acomplished what no other afro american has ever acomplished. He made history in less than one year he won the novel peace prize yet you can clearly see that there will never be equal rights for all in this country.I cannot believe the disrespect that this president has indured at the hands of his collegeas and fellow americans.This office demands the respect that should be alloted to every president without dintinction of his color or creed. Sow tell me why so much disrespect for this president?
35. Dave | 10.10.09
My goodness Mr. Steele, does this mean that DEFENDING Palin and the other loonies is no longer working? I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life, but being a Republican was among the worst. Thankfully, that had been corrected!
36. Richard Graham | 10.10.09
Hey! Here’s an idea…how about letting IDEA’s do the battling…we can all watch and maybe contribute a thought or two…as a thought, not a dagger, bludgeon or hammer. America is called a melting pot. Stop. Think about what that means and what it has meant to this amazing nation. Try: NO parties nor partisanship. We start our voting at the local level where we personally know who we think will do the best job for all of us. Note: we’re going on experience here…”I know Wanda or Norm are concerned, experienced, thorough, disciplined and dedicated to everyone’s well being, I’ll vote for them.” At a national or international level the vote is representative, delegates chosen by, say, state gatherings and international by the full membership of national elective bodies. Don’t need labels, platforms and electioneering, just your mind and heart.
37. dbmuse | 10.10.09
Republicans show they will stoop to any depth to have things their way… right or wrong. Never will trust them again.
38. john u | 10.10.09
So what’s Steel whining about……it’s not like his ‘preemptive war solves everything’/ let’s cut taxes in the middle of a war crowd is ever going to get the prize. For all the money the US blows on defense and the doubling plus of defense spending under Bush we have very little (or nothing in fact) to show for it……unless you count the SOFA aregeement in which Iraq kicks us out next year.
39. David | 10.10.09
Obama did nothing to deserve this award…look at his competition for the award and you will see that he was by far the least qualified. Another note, he could have chosen not to accept it all together. Also, please look at what the democrats are currently doing, why are they pushing a health care bill that they have not read? And why are they refusing to publish it? Their excuse of not having enough time to get it on the web is a terrible excuse to attempt to pass something that the American public does not want. All of us middle class and below will pay DEARLY for this every time we go to the doctor. We will be charged for EVERYTHING. Get informed, get motivated, get educated. Look into the beginning of the housing scam, the dems pushed for the loans that allowed people to get houses that they could not afford. My bank would not give in to these loans and paid a fine every year for it, and five years later they were commend for they outstanding loan rates. (by the same Fed’s that fined them to begin with).
40. a | 10.10.09
i think its a bit much, but why is everyone always ‘knocking’ Obama..i mean he didn’t apply for it..
41. land of the ignorant | 10.10.09
The fact that you all support Obama no mater what is disgusting. How is this fundraising the dihonest way. The democratic party is worse in their fundraising practices yet no one is mentioning this. The fact of the matter he hasn’t even hit a year mark and has made 0 progress in all areas.
42. Telly Speicher | 10.10.09
This is so ridiculous because we ARE on the same side!!! These power-hungry republicans hate the president… They have hated every Democrat that was elected in my lifetime… Let’s just face it, this country is run by greedy corporations controlling greedy politicians and most of them, not all, are republican. From what I see, the republicans ran this country into the ground while big business profited to no ends and now look at the average working American, wages lowered and paying more for everything. Republicans are NOT out for peace, one will never get the Nobel Peace Prize, they will just be jealous of Obama for actually doing something that is good and having people believe in him.
43. RAMAN KRISHNAN | 10.10.09
With Obama it’s ‘Damned if you and damned if you don’t’. But I hope the President keeps his chin up and gets the important things done for America.
God Bless.
44. Raymond | 10.10.09
In being so vocal against President Obama winning of the Nobel Prize the Republicans have shown two things 1.) They have given him the highest compliment that they can(If we can have it then you don’t deserve it)and 2.)it does not matter what you do we will not support you right or wrong.
To me the Republicans are just “a bunch of spoiled brats” They are not interested in the American people. They are just interested in themselves and becoming the “Power Class.” When they look at President Obama they see it is not happening and they just react like “A bunch of Spoiled Brats.”
45. IQ | 10.10.09
I get e-mail newsletters from both the GOP and the DNC. Both of them use every political event possible to ask for money. Why is this a story?
As for “agreeing with Iran and the Taliban”…. Let’s not forget that whichever party is in power, the other party opposes it. The Terrorists oppose anyone in power in America, so whoever’s NOT in power happens to agree witht he Taliban at that moment. The Democrats were totally against Bush during his full 8 years and guess who else was? That’s right… the Taliban, Al Q’aeda, Hamas, etc… Does that mean the Democrats were wrong? Use some common sense people.
46. kevin from brooklyn | 10.10.09
Michael Steele is a bizarre character. They gave him the Playbook,and he’s trying to work from those parameters.
In the end though, they’ll replace him with another rough spouting from the Playbook. Its incredibly unimaginative for him to respond as he did.
But in the end his actions speak volumes.
47. wordvarc | 10.10.09
Well, Limbaugh IS the ‘intellectual leader’ of the RNC/GOP. Steele’s at best another dittohead.
The DNC responds:
“The Republican Party has thrown in its lot with the terrorists — the Taliban and Hamas this morning — in criticizing the President for receiving the Nobel Peace prize,” wrote DNC Communications Director Brad Woodhouse. “Republicans cheered when America failed to land the Olympics and now they are criticizing the President of the United States for receiving the Nobel Peace prize — an award he did not seek but that is nonetheless an honor in which every American can take great pride — unless of course you are the Republican Party. The 2009 version of the Republican Party has no boundaries, has no shame and has proved that they will put politics above patriotism at every turn. It’s no wonder only 20 percent of Americans admit to being Republicans anymore - it’s an embarrassing label to claim.”
For the rest of us:
Humbled and proud are we with our President in this High Honor. (May the drone of the RNC and the DNC comments fade in the distance as we persevere in addressing our current and future realities.)
Nobel awards are for encouragement of positive character and action…not just for the winner and nominees but for all who notice the honor. The awards have never been awarded for the narcissistic gratification of individual achievement. Perhaps the Nobel Committee was hoping to inspire Americans and world citizens in a ways we are not yet realizing.
48. whatsso4me | 10.10.09
Steele did not do the Republican party a favor by his email this morning. Can he be replaced? I have said that talk radio is the best place for poking fun at this topic. Steele took the Prize and the mudslinging much too seriously.
49. scg8172 | 10.10.09
Conservative Crusader,
There is not one original thought in your entire post. That is what is wrong with partisan politics, partisans don’t seem to be able to think for themselves anymore. The people who ARE thinking for your party seem to be fear mongers that want to control the uneducated with fear, hate, and the wedge issues that they pretend to be on the conservative side of. After the elections they continue to do NOTHING about the wedge issues but they got the conservative vote.
50. fortwo | 10.10.09
I feel like this article is incredibly unfair. while I agree with many people that the GOP is indeed digging themselves a hole, I am also in agreement with the fact that Obama did not deserve this award. to place him in the same breath as people like Albert Shweitzer, Norman Borlaug, Mother Theresa, Desmond Tutu, the Dali Lama (a make up vote for Ghandi), Elie Wiesel and Martin Luther King Jr is ludicrous at this stage of the game. ten years from now? after the quelling of the two wars he is currently presiding over? after the physical closing of Gitmo? after actually accomplishing the lofty goals he has set himself up for? I could see that - but genuinely folks - allow people who disagree to disagree without demonizing them eh? The GOP is not demonizing the president - they are strongly disagreeing with the prize award. Let it be. I applaud Obama for his words regarding the prize. I get the sense that he agrees with the GOP, believe it or not. But what do you do as the sitting president? turn it down? It’s an incredible honor. Maybe it will spur him to work towards achieving the goals he has set out.
51. Joseph | 10.10.09
This is ALL CRAZY TALK… the award was voted 2 WEEKS after he took office. The intended affect is condemnation of Bush.. FINE.. CONDEMN.. but we have REAL PROBLEMS folks… I have moved to the CENTER… where ALL THINKING AMERICANS should BE… The TOUGH STREETS of the world look at us as fools for being so nice and indecisive as indicated by Obama’s current weeks long process.. the Taliban gains followers, Al Qaida gains followers, our “allies” find reason to not fund defense and the USA funds over 50% of WORLDS DEFENSE and does not receive respect even in Alabama, much less in Tehran. We are sliding down a more than slippery slope. 25% of the world is Muslim and 10% is radical therefore 2.5% of the world wants to KILL US… and Washington wrestles with getting the “Message Right”
The USA is seen as SO SILLY, little wonder the world disregards us and our SMALL NUMBERED enemies feel capable of defeating US.
52. redwhiteandblue | 10.10.09
Michael Steele is nothing but a jealous bigot. YOUR PRESIDENT won the Nobel prize! You should be proud of YOUR PRESIDENT’s accomplishment. Republican party has completely lost it. America needs a new political party to replace the Republican Party…It became a congregation of racist conspiracy theorists.
54. scott | 10.10.09
Obama is a European fad. The nominations for the nobel are given in Feb. That is just a few weeks into his presidency. Europeans fear war. And they will always support the leader who they think is least likely to start one. I don’t think Obama has the balls to bomb Iran,but he knows if the U.S. won’t, Israel will. That paints him in a corner. It would be better if the U.S. bombed Iran from a political standpoint,but he is loathed to give the order.And instead hopes to appease until his term is up.
55. Ted | 10.10.09
Well, yeah, Castro got it right when he said it’s more of a repudiation of Bush than it is an award to Obama. But, who cares? I’m just as happy with the Nobel voters awarding this to Obama as a slap at the previous administration as I would be if Obama had legitimately earned it. And on top of that, Michael Steele makes a fool of himself again. It’s a win-win-win situation!
56. WBGoode | 10.10.09
Some of you criticizing Republicans for not being happy about the president winning the Nobel Prize don’t get it. It’s not like he won the lottery — which is completely random. He won the Nobel Peace Prize for crying out loud — but for what? Those who have criticized the Republicans please explain what Obama won it for because many of us can’t figure it out. In the case of past presidents who won, one can point to distinctive achievements, so what are they in this case? Maybe Obama doesn’t need one — he’s just so awesomely “obama”!
57. Jerry Lewis | 10.10.09
The Republicans have shown their ignorance and racist nature once more. Everything positive Obama brings to this nation, one that has been ruined by George W. Bush, would drive them bananas. In other words, the “conservatives” would rather have the Tailaban take over this country than to see Obama succeeds.
58. Rana Tigrina Prince | 10.10.09
The White House said on Friday that Mr. Obama would donate to charity the $1.4 million that accompanies the prize. Will the GOP donate the money they are making from Obama’s Nobel Prize to charity too?
If not please petition the GOP to do the right thing.
59. pl | 10.10.09
The Taliban also say that 2 + 2 = 4. I think we all can agree with the Taliban. Are we all on the wrong side?
60. Richard | 10.10.09
Wow, I am gettting less and less surprised at how ridiculously pathetic the Republican Party is getting. First they destroyed Americas economy, and now they not only want to make matters worse, but are destroying America. I’m surprised Republicans still have ANY support from Americans…Makes me wonder just how many uneducated biggots live in this country which is what the Republican party is made of.
61. Charles | 10.10.09
Lot of hypocrites reading this page. Nancy Pelosi and the DNC are famous for pushing fund raising on ridiculous grounds. One of the most infamous events from the democrats was the DNC proclaiming Bush banned stem cell research. The truth of the matter was Bush was the first president in history to deliver federal funding of stem cell research and never banned any privately or state funded stem cell research.
Steele has a very good point. Our nation is under attack from organizations like the UN and the WHO. Read some of the bills that these wonderful democrats are trying to push on us. They want us to pay a portion of our GDP to countries like India, China and most of the 3rd world nations because the US uses more energy. Some of the legislation is frightening. I challenge you to quit regurgitating talking points and start reading some of the legislation that has been proposed to congress. Get informed! Stay informed! Save your country!
62. Zak | 10.10.09
Whether the GOP likes it, or the Nobel Prize committee endorses him, Obama will always be an influential figure. The fact that either fills their minds with his actions only confirms this. Before either group knew his name, Obama was top of the class.
But his influence and presence are not in question, they are just the target.
Obama took the necessary steps in his life to stand atop the world stage. In the short time that he’s been there, he’s sent a message of unity and progress. His early achievements in diplomacy are a precursor to the work that will help repair America’s international relations and recharge its domestic strengths.
Obama’s Nobel Prize should not inspire jealousy or ridicule, or false pride. His work to date, and work to be done, justifies the award.
63. werner fuerbacher | 10.10.09
if this clown in washington had an honest bone in his un-american body he would give it back.
he has created more friction amongst americans than anyone i can think of.
64. luke bohannon | 10.10.09
Some great comments. Richard Graham is dead-on. I read most of these - and all online - comments and the letters to the various papers i read and you really realize that there are some 10 percent of people who are looking for answers and the other 90 percent are slinging mud at anyone with whom they disagree. It really must be some great catharsis to say how stupid other people are. i think we are just lazy. Answers, programs, ideas, plans, bills, dreams - all take time and effort and intelligence and patience. Saying that other guys is an idiot, takes none of that.
65. paul | 10.10.09
this whole thing is ridiculous. were i steele i would definitely be doing what he’s doing - in fact, im thinking about sending some money to the GOP as it stands. obama doesn’t deserve any prize, period. he’s done nothing. he spent his time in the senate campaigning for the presidency, and his time as president campaigning for some BS healthcare ‘reform’ that’s going to destroy our system. just wait, true believers - you’ll see.
and to julescator - is he a wannabe? sounds like he’s obama’s antithesis to me. but oh, wait. he’s black. duh. i forgot - if you’re a prominent black man in politics, you’re an obama wannabe, regardless of how vehemently you disagree with him. i wonder if colon powell is going to change his name. colon qaddafi powell. got quite a ring to it…
at first, because he backed down on a couple of (i thought) important skirmishes (one with rush, one over abortion), i thought steele had no backbone. but after this, i’ve gained some serious respect for him. good job steele - pure awesomeness.
66. stitchku | 10.10.09
Just curious, what exactly did obama DO to deserve this award? Seriously, what did he do - what are the hard criteria? I mean, don’t just repeat the utterly meaningless advertising slogans like “inspiring hope” or “inspiring change.” Can any of you actually trace through FACTUAL, DEFINITE actions MADE BY OBAMA, which have VERIFIABLE RESULTS that can translate into any form of VALIDATION which demonstrates promoting peace?
Didn’t think so.
obama didn’t deserve that Academy Award - I mean: Nobel Peace Prize…
BTW: Michael Steele earned his way through the ranks of the Republican party - he wasn’t excluded from qualification standards and unfairly elevated for political reasons, unlike obama.
67. Jordan | 10.10.09
Hey you can be critical of Steele, but just look how many guys in this administration are tax evaders. Nice to know that the person in congress in charge of taxes (Rangel) as well hasn’t reported assets and or payed taxes. The corruption… this is what is wrong with washington.
Let’s start judging people by their works, not their words! Steele said this, GOP said that, Rush hit Hannity with a woofle ball bat. WHO CARES! THESE DEMS JUST TALK, ALL RHETORIC! But I guess rhetoric can get you a Nobel Prize if its the kind of stuff the Socialist Nordics like. To the DEMS in power: Can you please do something for this country without having to borrow money to do it? Our economy is the #1 priority. Oh, and the bare minimum, PAY YOUR TAXES!
68. slbowman | 10.10.09
The final nominations for Nobel Peace Prize were due on the 12th day of Obama’s presidency. Either Obama’s 11 days in office were more meaningful than other nominees’ life-long dedication to peace, or the award was given for political motivations. If the award was given for political motivations, then why should it not be attacked politically? Personally, I’m too much against this current wars to see Obama as worthy of recognition for merely continuing Bush policies.
69. WallyJ | 10.10.09
America is a great country, but..America has rotten people like this dude. Why is it Americans can’t be proud and maybe a little happy that the President won this award..I mean really..Obama is doing what other President should of done, although some have, like Clinton
All I can say is God have mercy on you
70. jordan ut | 10.10.09
Hey you can be critical of Steele, but just look how many guys in this administration are tax evaders. Nice to know that the person in congress in charge of taxes (Rangel) as well hasn’t reported assets and or payed taxes. The corruption… this is what is wrong with washington.
Let’s start judging people by their works, not their words! Steele said this, GOP said that, Rush hit Hannity with a woofle ball bat. WHO CARES! THESE DEMS JUST TALK, ALL RHETORIC! But I guess rhetoric can get you a Nobel Prize if its the kind of stuff the Socialist Nordics like. To the DEMS in power: Can you please do something for this country without having to borrow money to do it? Our economy is the #1 priority. Oh, and the bare minimum, PAY YOUR TAXES YOU CRONIES!
71. Woody | 10.10.09
Youre a racist for dissagreeing with Steele. You don’t like him because he’s black!
72. Living in Las Vegas | 10.10.09
Many of us, if not most of us, support much of the same goals the President is working toward. And we support the stated reason the Nobel committee gave for the award, however premature it maybe. As I watch the mean spirited reaction to the award a truly sad realization sinks in. It’s not just an attack on one sitting President, it’s an attack on all who agree on this course, this way of engaging with the rest of humanity. If you ever traveled out of this country it’s very evident that our soft power holds sway in a way that no other nation does. What people read, use the internet, eat, drink, the entertainment that’s watched and listened to is often very pervasively American. So how this government behaves, or even what it says, impacts and affects them as no other can. Do you remember the line “with great power comes great responsibility”? A wise and informed course may not yield instantaneous results, but it’s the best way to relate to the other 7 billion souls on our one world. And please stop being a hater.
73. Mario Norbis | 10.10.09
We are a country of records!
This time we are the FIRST one to be unhappy (some of them) with one of their citizens (the President) to be awared a Nobel Prize
Woh!!!
74. Bobby | 10.10.09
How mean can republicans become in this saga? Agreed that this might be a premature, but there are 6 Billion population in this world and they have their perspectives.
Republicans should be ashamed of the fact that they have not been nothing but creating hassles for everything that want to be done by this President. I am completely confused how mean can these Republicans become. Its so unfortunate that politicians like Sarah Palin - exist in this great country and unfortunately some of us still support them.
HOW UNFORTUNATE CAN THIS SITUATION BECOME WORSE THAT THESE GOP POLITICIANS ARE FIT FOR?
76. Steve | 10.10.09
#21: They made *nominations* in February, not the final vote. Obamashowed his worthiness for nomination during his campaign. And no, I don’t expect you to agree.
77. oldwhiteguy | 10.10.09
I’m old, but I thought if you publicly criticized the President, in a time of war, it was treason…
Then again, if Steele and Limbaugh “agree” with the Taliban, our enemy, at a time of war, I believe that also constituted treason.
78. Sallie Bailey | 10.10.09
Kenyan? What a bunch of nuts. The The only class act is John McCain. The Taliban & Iran think it’s great? What are these people reading? I guess they don’t know how to read.
79. James | 10.10.09
Rush says, “we all are on the same side as the Taliban.” Now, if we who support President Obama said something like this, the right-wing-nuts wouldn’t hesitate to trot it out, sans context, and further divide the nation. (I recently read that Lincoln was the first to refer to the Union as a “nation,” but I don’t know if that’s true.) Fortunately, we are not like Rush, and we don’t habitually rip quotes from context. Rush was being ironic (which, in itself, is ironic). Let’s leave it alone and let the right-fringe burn its own bridges to the mainland of American rationality. BTW: Why should the President have “refused to accept it all together [sic]”? If one wants to make such an argument, then he should at least back it up…and address the reasons the President expressly stated FOR accepting it. The right today seems to be populated by infantile cretins who don’t care what happens to their nation.
80. jaxjm | 10.10.09
It’s really very simple. The Nobel committee, like all good liberal Europeans, was concerned that Obama’s self-esteem might be a bit down as he flew home after the rejection in Copenhagen. They were also concerned that some of the shine might be off the Obama apple back home, so they offered him a consolation prize: The Nobel Peace Prize.
81. awake | 10.10.09
Don’t believe the hype of the left/right paradigm, both parties have been sold and paid for.
Obama chaired the Security council of the United Nations, that is in direct violation of The Constitution of the United States of America under Article 1 Section 9:
No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States: and no person holding any office of profit or trust under them, shall, without the consent of the Congress, accept of any present, emolument, office, or title, of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state.
That’s called treason, and what’s worse is that no one has said anything about it.
Restore the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the Republic.
82. Alan | 10.10.09
It is amazing to me that not one single solitary Republican has stepped forward to, at the very least differ with Steeles’ comments, or rightfully condemn him for them. ‘Give Peace a Chance’ is not just a catch phrase, and is hopefully the future of our world if we expect to survive.
Catch a clue Republicans. The proof will repeat itself in the next election, too.
83. cgk123 | 10.10.09
Odd that Mr. Steele says the Democrats have an “agenda for global redistribution and control.”
Author Jeff Sharlet, in his recent book, “The Family”, documents quite convincingly how Republicans through certain powerful and influential fundamentalists have promoted that very agenda since at least 1934.
Has Mr. Steele learned from his peers that if you look into a mirror and see flaws, attribute them to your adversary?
84. Jay El | 10.10.09
The vast majority of you who comment here (and elsewhere) are politically uneducated. There is SERIOUS culpability on the part of both major parties for the economic bind we find ourselves in. If you really did any research on the subject, you would know that. You would stop pointing fingers (or point to both sides) and pray to God that in His infinite mercy He will help us out of this mess. Humans f’ed it up and are now in WAY over their heads.
85. Jetty Babee | 10.10.09
To the Conservative Crusader & the rest of the ‘haters’. Our President wasn’t awarded the Nobel Peace Prize because of what he has done as president. I noticed prior to the election the movement in this country working toward a positive change. I noticed the pride in many people and how the sentiment was about taking our place in the world once again as true leaders of free and fair societies. Many countries look to the people of the United States as representatives of what is right in the world. It has been so sad to hear our fellow citizens’ discount any and all of what President Obama is trying to do. Not for himself but for others. It is so sad that Michael Steele, Rush Limbaugh, Glen Beck, and some few of the Republican party, constantly show us and the rest of the world, that their personal hatred of President Obama has cause them to lose their rabid minds!!!
86. vjiolet | 10.10.09
the President is ruining our country with his radical socialist agenda. Wake up this is not about Democrates vs. Republicans. We need to unite against this man’s radical changes before it is too late. He is destroying our economy, the dollar, our national security, our freedom, our lively hood. Those who are blind to what is going on will wake up one day and wonder what happened to their country and life. All he needs is one big crisis, self-made or otherwise, and he can take over. This is all about SEIU, Goodyear, and Obama’s radical “friends” who want to take away you freedom of speech, guns, and money.
87. Cornuto | 10.10.09
ok folks…let’s analyze this. From the biological point of view, each of us is a child regardless of whether we’re grown up or not (in age, I mean). So, there’s childness, if you will, in each of us. When we grow up, we kinda’ repress our childlike behavior, but, on occasion, they sprung up unexpectedly, spontaneously. This is what happened to Steele. He felt like his small brother got a candy and he did not. So he reacted like an idiot, er, sorry, child. So, I’ll forgive him and I know he’ll realize he acted like - as his small brother would say - a Jack***.
88. Ellis Jardine | 10.10.09
I’ve been saying the fundamentalist right wing of America and Islamic Asia are much of the same coin for years. At least GOP once upon a time used to stand for good manners, whether or not they were heartfelt.
lsjdePAWA
89. melissa | 10.10.09
It seems to me that both Democrats (last administration) and Republicans (currently) have lost touch with what it means to treat the highest elected office in our country with respect. Democrats may have “started it” with all the Bush-bashing, but Republicans are proving no better. It seems Mr. Steele disagrees with Obama’s foreign policy approach - so be it. I, for one, am pleased to see America regain some respect in the international arena, but obviously Mr. Steele has every right to disagree with the approach Obama is using. Unfortunately Mr. Steele doesn’t appear to have either the skills or inclination to disagree respectfully. I wish he did - while I don’t always agree with Obama, he certainly acts respectfully towards all. Republicans could learn from this example.
90. Scott | 10.10.09
Unemployment is below 5%, All parts of Health care has been reformed, the budget is under control, Iran came clean and stopped building nukes, 2016 Olympics is in chi-town. All the stimulus money has been used, and the country has come together, oh wait none of this has happened” So lets hear it for giving obama the noble peace prize.
91. Rushian Roulette | 10.10.09
Michael Steele is a pitiful excuse of a man……he fits right in to today’s Republican Party!!
92. steve d | 10.10.09
Why would this issue be used as a fundraising tool ? As a political neophyte, I am curious as to what Democrats (or just liberals?) believe the President has done (in concrete terms not platitudes)to deserve the Nobel Peace Prize. Or for that matter what he has accomplished in his 9 months in office? I am not saying there is or is not accomplishments. I just would like to know what the Democrats (or liberals) believe those accomplishments are
93. Paul | 10.10.09
I am inspired finally to share what I’ve written and call the Citizen’s Creed. It’s not political, and it’s not religious, nor does it represent any viewpoint other than my own. I am 55 years old, well educated, have a professional career, and am thoughtful about where we are all at in our time in history.
President Obama, in my assessment, lives by these principles, and has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his beliefs and actions. I applaud the courage of any national leader on the global stage to make the powerful and indisputable declarations for a better world that he does.
The Citizen Creed
The Citizen Creed puts forth a post-modern political norm with a set of principles destined to govern our actions in a global society, where countries remain whole and independent as political nation states, but inter-dependent in economics, human rights, and the preservation of natural resources. Above all other actions, it demands respect for the dignity of all human beings.
As such the Citizen Creed states its principles,
To uphold the integrity of free nations;
To enhance the well-being of members of its own nation by enhancing the well-being of all free nations, to act with justice as a member of a greater society, that of a free world established by its own will;
To encourage and support all developing nations with or without abundant natural resources to join the endeavor of free nations to improve the well being of mankind;
To resolve to forgive and constrain all actions of evil by those which cannot break the shackles of their tyranny of humiliation and its offspring; suppression, despair and hopelessness;
To protect and preserve the limited natural resources of this world, its species and climates, and the raw materials of our possessions so that all future generations will enjoy and prosper from the fruits of a shared world;
To enable the rights of all to pursue their individual pact with eternity, that special relationship with the unseen gods of their religious cultures, as long as their pursuit does not impose the unethical, immoral, or unthinkable upon others;
To embrace charity as the ultimate act of self-preservation, a soul-saving act of humbleness, and an immeasurable act of kindness that comes from regarding all creatures of God with reverence;
To provide the facilities of education, health, justice and economics to allow creative and industrious people of all walks of life to participate in the generation of wealth and the accumulation of capital;
To forever purge the corrupted privileges of individual or party megalomaniacs, whether of entitlement from corporate, military, monarchal, or hereditary origin;
And to honor the local culture of traditions and values wherever they bring prosperous and moral results to the greater collection of nations.
94. pl | 10.10.09
George W. Bush helped save 1.5 million Africans from dying from AIDS by having the U.S fund the medical treatment for these folks. Obama’s half-brother lives in a hut in Kenya with a dirt floor, no running water, or bathroom.
95. kATHI | 10.10.09
AS AMERICANS WE SHOULD ALL BE PROUD THAT OUR PRESIDENT, THE ONE WE VOTED FOR , WON THIS AWARD. HE IS SETTING A DIFFERENT TONE IN THE WORLD. REPUBLICANS ARE HATERS - PLAIN AND SIMPLE. THEY WANT OBAMA TO FAIL WHICH MEANS OUR COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE TO FAIL. THAT MEANS YOU AND ME TO FAIL. NEGATIVITY BREEDS NEGATIVITY. STOP WHINING AND HATING, REPUBLICANS!
96. GK | 10.10.09
R.I.P brother Steele. Keep up the good work but by the time you wake up from your slumber the rest of the world will have moved to the next life.
97. David | 10.10.09
Michael Steele, former Lt. Governor of MD is the very biggest empty suit. He goes on proving every time he speaks.
98. Be | 10.10.09
Does this man has his own mentality? He acts just like programmed robot with full of trivialities.
99. Ben | 10.10.09
AHHH,, Republicans, are so funny, so desperate…desperate house of republicans should we call them? Micheal steel don’t hate please you did not do any thing special do get a thing. This does not make you a outstanding politician.
100. Lee K | 10.10.09
Why can’t Mr. Steele simply say congratulations and move on. It is so sad that he could not take the high road, and set an example as the leader of the opposition party. How does our country come together in pursuit of our common goals, when our President (like him or not) wins one of the most coveted awards in the world, and is immediately ostracized. Our parents taught us better manners, and on behalf of the party that espouses ‘Family Values’ and High Morals, somebody ought to speak up and say I am Sorry!
101. keith | 10.10.09
hmmm Are you sure that was Michael Steele talking?
or republicans told him what to say.
102. KC | 10.10.09
Congrats to President Obama! To all the Republicans you nailed your own coffin shut, do you really think people are stupid enough to take you people seriously.
103. dorothy | 10.10.09
#36 Dave….
We were on the wrong track…I, too, am grateful that I’ve found out what the Republicans really are all about….better late than never!!! I’ll vote against Republicans every chance I get from now on….and I’ve voted Republican all my life….WHAT A WASTE!!! I am so sorry!!
Shame on the American people that can’t even be proud for their OWN PRESIDENT!!! We really don’t deserve such a good man, and his family…but thank God, we do have him!!! And to #81 Alan….Good for you…The proof will repeat itself in the next election!!! Read “Three Cups of Tea”…
104. Mark Shepherd | 10.10.09
Since when are the only “truly patriotic Americans” the ones who agree with the Republican point of view. I think this is a terrible insult to the majority of patriotic Americans. Way to go, Steele.
105. Chuck N. | 10.10.09
Getting the prize for 12 days of effort tells me that even the Nobel Peace Prize committee doesn’t think he will get re-elected. Think about it. They only give it out every 5 years, so… He would have to be re-elected to be given the prize as a sitting prez. They know that the public is awake to his game and won’t let that happen.
106. James | 10.10.09
awake, as a lawyer, I can say that your analysis of the Constitution is nothing if not bizarre. I guess it’s like the Bible–can mean whatever one wants it to mean.
107. Ria Nancoo | 10.10.09
Read it here…
http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/articles/lundestad-review/index.html
108. d h | 10.10.09
Speaking of peace and Steele is Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and media matters still stealing Steeles social security number and illegally going through his personal records and after getting caught, paying the fine with DSCC campaign funds?
Can’t the Dems just get along?
110. Kane | 10.10.09
It is very clear that Republicans, for all of their patriotic talk during the Bush years, really dislike America.
That being said, Obama probably would not have received the Nobel Peace Prize if he were not in such stark contrast to the former leader of the free world. Bush did so much to drive the world AWAY from peace that Obama’s clear stance and drive TOWARD peace is what justified the award. I believe that it is a very positive sign for all of us. And we ALL need to stand behind our president and help him achieve his peaceful goals.
112. Hannalee | 10.10.09
I’m surprised, you’re surprised, Obama’s surprised that he won the Nobel. We can all wonder about it and discuss why this happened, and we can thank the Nobel Committee for the honor to the extent that we understand it.
But I would note that Steele’s response (I think he wins the prize on his side) reminds me ominously of the way the NAZIs once spoke in Germany:
“The Democrats and their international leftist allies want America made subservient to the agenda of global redistribution and control…. [and] truly patriotic Americans like you and our Republican Party are the only thing standing in their way.”
Why is “international” a bad word?
This is National Socialism, fascism. It’s not like idiots Limbaugh and Beck, stomping their little feet. Steele is supposedly a “legit” member of the Republican establishment. This doesn’t just annoy me like Limbaugh, Beck, Bachmann, Palin. This alarms me. This man should not be a spokesperson for the Republican Party. If they allow him to remain in his place, he’s not only making the party a laughingstock, he’s endangering our country and the world. I don’t regard that statement as hyperbole.
113. dorothy | 10.10.09
#48 is RIGHT….the Republicans have thrown in with the enemy…”Treason” they have thrown in with Rush L….they wish this president will fail…”Treason” they wish us all Ill…because they want to run every thing…they are not for the United States of America…they are for THEMSELVES…. they want Obama to look bad, so they can win back the election, and POWER!!! SHAME ON THEM AND SHAME ON US IF WE FALL FOR THEIR SCHEME!! PASS HEALTH CARE!! FIX SOCIAL SECURITY!!! FIX OUR ECONEMY!!!! FIX OUR GOOD NAME IN THE WORLD…AGAIN!!!!! THAT IS WHAT OBAMA IS TRYING TO DO…AND THE REPUBLICANS BLOCK HIM AT EVERY SINGLE CHANCE!!! I have never witnessed such selfish politicans. I WAS A REPUBLICAN, NO MORE! and I’m old!!
114. Daryl | 10.10.09
I am amazed that so many summarized their opinions by only reading the headline (by the way headlines are to attract readers, period). I think it is safe to say our society is in fact illiterate, which unfortunately opens the door to the rest of the world to prosper and be successful while we, the American people loose everything, status, freedom, opportunity…
Steele sent out an email late last night not only lampooning the award but asking “truly patriotic Americans” to ante up to fight the forces of world domination.
“The Democrats and their international leftist allies want America made subservient to the agenda of global redistribution and control,” Steele wrote. “And truly patriotic Americans like you and our Republican Party are the only thing standing in their way.” This is a fact! Left up to you leftist we would have given away everything by now.
Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton have done a lot more and still I don’t think they deserve a Nobel Prize, What did Obama do? Dr Martin L. King had dedicated his life to bringing peace and advocating that “All men are created equal” even with the knowledge he may be killed for it, what did Obama do? The committee said Obama deserved the award because of his “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.” I’ll tell you what this administration is attempting to do, in the face of nations like North Korea and Iran building up their nuclear stock pile, this president wants to destroy ours? Even high scholars would recognize the blurredness of this idea. So I ask again. What did Obama do?
Folks, one more question? How is the Republican National Committee chief Michael Steele trying to make money off of it? The headline got you did it not?
Maybe our society is not illiterate, maybe it’s just the democrats.
115. william | 10.10.09
Mr. Steele might collect more fund by singing and begging on the footpaths rather than sending bare emails.
116. Nick | 10.10.09
How dare Michael Steele take our President to task?? What has Michael Steele ever done? For the RIP(ublican) party? For the Nation? For the State of Maryland? For anyone?
He should be ashamed of himself. When Obama (America) failed to land the Olympics, Steele scorned him. When Obama (America) won the Nobel, Steele scorned him. Guess what!!?? When Obama wakes up and brushes his teeth tomorrow morning, Steele will do what? Yep! Scorn him!!
Not another penny to the RIP(ublican) party from this former member. Let me know when that sinking ship has sunk.
117. singh | 10.10.09
The nobel prize should go to the Americans who dared to elect Obama as their president.
118. Emma | 10.10.09
Where’s the American pride that I used to hear so much growing up? I would think that the Republicans would spend a few minutes to be proud that an American has won the Nobel Peace Prize. I fail to see Obama’s win of the Nobel Peace Prize has anything to do with the Republican ideology so that they feel justifiable to attack him. It is despicable to see that the GOP chief has taken this action. For the sake of this country, why can’t Republicans, Democrats, and whoever else out there come together to rebuild this country?
119. Neocon Ron | 10.10.09
Paul at #91,
That is pathetic. You have made up a doctrine that you like, and posted it here as if you granting we of the great unwashed the blessing of your almighty intellect. Thanks but no thanks, we have a Constitution and a Bill of Rights that work just fine, despite the fact that your Lord Obama considers them both to be “Hindrances”. Further, you have made up this nauseating picture of Obama in your mind that flies in the face of reality. People like you denied the facts about this man, and planted a narcissistic, vainglorious, and incompetent tyrant into Our white House. The world is too dangerous of a place to indulge such fantasy, and we have a responsibility to future generations to vote responsibly. You see, we are not entitled to the freedom that was passed onto by the blood of our fathers. It is a right we can enjoy, but we are first and foremost custodians and caretakers of this Liberty. It is our responsibility to pass it on unharmed and undiminished. In fact, The Constitution requires us to take action and remove any administration that threatens our freedom. We do not have the right to vote such people into office just because you are too afraid to live your own life without government intervention.
121. Ed Sommers | 10.10.09
Republicans cheer when Obama’s efforts fail to help Chicago’s bid to win the Olympic Games.
Republicans refuse to support any meaningful effort to reform health care insurance coverage policies in the U.S.
Republicans disrespect President Obama during his address to a joint session of Congress.
Republican talkers openly state that they want President Obama to fail.
Republicans scoff at the idea that Obama deserves to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
All of this is factual. Some advice to the Republicans:
America — Love it or Leave It. (you clearly don’t love it. So leave it.)
Take your phoney patriotism with you. Take your bogus religiosity with you. Take your ignorant tough talking belligerence with you. Take your hypocrisy, & power-tripping with you. Where should you take all that? Texas.
122. Jerry | 10.10.09
I’ve heard of having a hand in somebodies pocket but to attack the president on this one while at the same time using the Nobel peace prize to raise funds, Mr. Steele must have let someone in the hierarchy of the GOP get the best of him and in his defense he might say,”I’m no puppet”, but even Governor Paterson can see the elbow coming from his suit tails.
123. Dave | 10.10.09
I’m glad the Monitor has given a broad swath of coverage to the Obama Nobel award. I’m glad the Monitor’s editorial ended up supporting the idea that the award pointed to the need for hope now.
In a summary of editorial views from all around, the Monitor quotes this view: “Though not being George W. Bush may cause impressionable Norwegians to flush with ardor, it is not an actual Nobel-worthy accomplishment. By awarding this celebrated prize to a president who hasn’t had the time to achieve anything substantial on the world stage, the Nobel committee has demeaned the award’s value, and put Obama in a difficult position…. As even skeptical liberal commentators said yesterday, this prize goes a long way toward bolstering the case that the adulation the president receives is more hype than reality.”
I think the Nobel committee knew what it was doing, so the prize was not demeaned. However, the prize does dramatize that Obama is already in a difficult position. The agreement just signed between Turkey and Armenia is a sign the US President is on the right track, though.
How long ago was it that our President advanced the position that he could be elected? Few believed him then. The world is starving for signs that Islam can find a better way than terrorism to find hope and practical gains for its people. Obama is saying, “Believe me, you can.” Just think, Saudia Arabia, a key mecca, literally, for one of Islam’s main groups is going to let women attend a new university there without wearing a veil. I can’t believe the large majority of Islam supports either terror or the imposition of sharia.
Obama’s enemies from the far left in his own party should let him slide here at home towards the middle, which is right where the country stands.
Finally, is Obama tough enough to inspire the hardest of hard core groups to yield on wrong positions and tactics? I think so. I feel that Obama is above the hard core right and the left in this country, that he is an American beyond what most of us understand.
124. Jon | 10.10.09
I can’t help but notice that so many right wing comments (almost all on here) are so embarrassingly ignorant:
At least four separate people (21, 52, 68, and 102) all lament that Obama was nominated only 11 days into his administration, so how could he have done enough to earn it in 11 days? Well, that’s because the winner is actually chosen in October (February is when nominations close). And 104 thinks the award is only given out every five years instead of yearly. Way to be informed team: http://nobelprize.org/nomination/peace/process.html
Retnan (31) complains: “So now disagreeing with POTUS is ‘unpatriotic’ huh?”. I wonder who he’s quoting since his post is the only one that includes the word “unpatriotic”. Try a word search. Maybe quoting himself?
David (40) laments that Dems are trying to pass a health care bill that they won’t publish and are saying they “don’t have time to put it on the web”. Well, there are several bills (not just one), and none are final and oops here’s one: http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h3200/show - inconspicuously hidden on **OPENCONGRESS.ORG** so I can see why you couldn’t find it. What were you saying? “Get informed, get motivated, get educated.” Indeed.
I commend the few other wing-nuts who were able avoid mixing their nonsensical opinions with easily disproved assertions of fact. Kudos gang. Special recognition to awake (80)
125. JR | 10.10.09
As a Republican - a moderate one at that - I’m really sick and tired of the constant friction, hipocracy, and deception of both parties. In reality, the differences are small, just MADE to be big so that we join one side or another. A centrist movement will be coming and I will certainly hop on that train when it comes. Until then, I wish luck to our president, wisdom to our elected representatives, and patience and love to my fellow Americans.
126. Perry | 10.10.09
I think it’s amazing that both Right and Left seem to forget how stupidly they act when it isn’t “their” president. When Bush was president, where were all of you trying to work together to “support” the president whether you voted for him or not. Did I vote for Obama, no…is he my president…Yes. I appreciate that he stated that this prize isn’t deserved but a call to action. However, I believe it was quite a political move and there is much expectation from the awarding organization to influence policy in the U.S - you are naive if you can’t see that, but when we as a country allow other countries to dictate our policy and agenda - get ready to give up all those freedoms you take for granted as rights - socialist countries are not famous for the great levels of freedom for their people…think about it…
127. Tony | 10.11.09
Every day we see more evidence of the widening gap between the parties, and most of us are being left behind. People are fleeing the established parties in droves. Last pole I read, 40% of Americans now declare their party affiliation as centrist, moderate, and “independent”. Now that the democrats have become socialists and republicans are becoming panderers to the televangelists, the middle ground is looking mighty inviting.
128. Tony | 10.11.09
So you telling me Im not patriotic. Listen here Mr steele I am over in iraq saving my country, your country in a war that your president started and didnt have a plan for. Also arent some of you people were accuse people that didnt support our president(Bush) in a time of war of being un american. Um people we are still at war. You conservative kill me driving family and American. Great job michael steele keep up the good work sir
129. Bryan Gambogi | 10.11.09
The Republican Party has lost every last bit of dignity the were hanging on to.
130. leonard w. | 10.11.09
nick: I’m glad you saw the light and quit the Republican Party. I don’t know if you joined the Democratic party, but it really doesn’t matter. To break away from the “party of no,” where ignorance is a thing of pride should truly be a blessing..
131. Will Miller | 10.11.09
It’s rather obvious why the Nobel Committee would award the Peace Prize to President Obama. He removed the Republicans from the White House and took their finger off the nuclear button . . . and all with a smile on his face and gracious comments to friends and opponents alike.
Things were a bit scary when you’ve got a cowboy shouting “if you ain’t with us you’re agin us and we’ve assumed the right to engage in preemptive wars. Yah hoo, bring um on!”
132. Cheryl-ann | 10.11.09
It’s funny how the biggest steps to international redistribution of wealth… CAFTA, NAFTA and the WTO… were all joined/initiated by that same Grand Ol’ Party that now accuses the president of everything from being a kenyan, secret jihadist, socialist, (like they even understand the meaning of the word) and imperial boogieman extraordinaire.
It’d be funny if it weren’t so sad….
133. Meno | 10.11.09
I can respect that this guy is our president, Ill give him that, but him winning this prize is stupid. I will not consider this “peace” prize as used to. What a joke.
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Jimmy Orr has worked in politics for the majority of his professional career working for two U.S. Senators, two Governors and one President. Most recently, Orr served as White House Spokesman and Internet Director for President George W. Bush and Special Advisor to Governor Schwarzenegger for Internet Communications.
David Cook is Washington bureau chief of The Christian Science Monitor and host of the Monitor's newsmaker breakfasts. He was the Monitor's editor from 1994 to 2001. Cook is a graduate of Principia College, served in the U.S. Army, was a Bagehot Fellow at Columbia University, and is a member of the Gridiron Club, Washington's oldest journalistic organization.
1. roy | 10.10.09
“Folks, do you realize something has happened here that we all agree with the Taliban and Iran about and that is he doesn’t deserve the award,” he said. “Now that’s hilarious, that I’m on the same side of something with the Taliban, and that we all are on the same side as the Taliban”
– This means you are on the wrong side.