Obama and the Nobel Prize: Great expectations
Obama on the campaign trail last year, courtesy of the NY Times
As we in St. Louis wake up this morning, the news is just breaking that President Obama has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. I’m not sure this is going to be a very popular decision here in the US. Already the naysayers are at work, ready to ridicule and deride. What has he actually done to deserve this, anyway? But it’s not going to be only the usual anti-Obama crowd who are concerned. Even Lech Walesa, a fellow laureate, says this is “too soon” and hopes it will be “an encouragement” for Obama to do more. “Let’s see if he perseveres. Let’s give him time to act.”
The Nobel Committee cites “his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.” Their statement continues, “The Committee has attached special importance to Obama’s vision of and work for a world…
