Barack Obama is the fourth President to win the Nobel Peace Prize behind Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and Jimmy Carter. Tell with us why YOU think President Obama won this prestigious award.
IrishEyes89
Favorite Answer
I think that President Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize because he has given hope, real tangible hope, to his fellow Americans and to the entire world in an age when everyone is feeling uncertain and, on some level, scared about the future. We don't know how or when these wars will end, we're struggling through a global economic crisis, and those are only the two biggest issues at hand. Obama has a lot on his plate, but I believe that he is the ideal type of person to be leading the free world confidently and inspiringly farther into the 21st Century. He will get America back on its feet eventually and as he does so, inspire the rest of us around the globe to believe in the USA again and build a better world with them. I don't care if some people think that it is a naive way of thinking. Our world has turned into such a disgusting pit of cynicism, it's time for us to once again begin believing in the good that is always possible.
gungirspear
It was stated by the Peace Prize Committee that he was awarded the Prize in recognition of the values he stood for and the accomplishments they hope he achieves during his presidency.
It has been stated by members of other peace groups and coalitions who keep their collective ear to the tracks concerning these matters that the committee chose Obama for another reason, however.
It is widely believed in these circles that Obama was chosen due to the low-level of political controversy it would cause in the aftermath. The committee understood that although confusion and cries of upset might be issued from the general public, on a political level he was a safe and non-confrontational choice and that within a relatively short period of time these protests would die down. Apparently some of the other nominees elected had the potential to cause strain to political ties and/or relations had they been chosen to win the prize.
Another fact I'd like to point out is that Obama was only in office for about two weeks before the date of the deadline for submissions for the winner...A period which I'm sure most people will agree is far too short a time to decide upon a yet unproven president to be given such a prestigious award.
Mahatma Gandhi was elected for the Peace prize five times yet never won. This is not only an embarrassment and a slap to the face of the nominees who SHOULD have been awarded the prize instead of Obama; the hundreds of individuals who EARNED the right to be called a Peace Prize recipient, it is a severe degradation of the honor and prestige of all past and future recipients as well as the moral worth of the award itself.
Obama should have graciously rejected the nomination. In taking it he only cheapened both his own legacy and that of the Nobel Peace Prize. Alfred Nobel is turning in his grave (or should be).
trustnoone_ever
He was only in office for two weeks before the deadline of the Nobel peace prize nominations. What did he do for the those two weeks to have granted him this prize? Not a single thing.
What has he done since the deadline for the nominations that has given him the edge over the others? Not a single thing.
he has gone across the world, bashing and apologizing for America and what we have done. he has given the Queen an I-pod filled with music. He has invited other leaders from not so friendly countries so they can have a pow wow about how horrible they were treated or shunned by past American presidents and Americans and of course tried to meet them in the so called middle ground.
What has he done to get this award that is now becoming a joke? Again, not a single thing.
Some claim he was picked because what he is laying down, by apologizing and meeting, ground work for a future that will hold no terrorists, better life. Some claim the world is looking for a super power and he is opening it up and possibly filling those shoes. Who knows why they choose him for sure (we all know they are not going to say it is because he is the first African American President.). I do know the Nobel Peace Prize will no longer have the image it is used to have too. It will no longer become a coveted award. It will become a joke award. An award no longer upheld as being worthy to most Americans and others. Congrats to the Nobel Committee.
The Arbiter of common sense
Because the Peace Prize has degenerated into a popularity contest, given all too often to the 'flavor of the month', the person or group who is grabbing the most headlines.
In the science categories of the Nobels, work is usually recognized years or decades after it it done. The reason for that is that the Nobel committee wants to be able to look back using the wisdom of time and evaluate whether the work had a lasting impact.
The Peace Prize, on the other hand, is used to reward transient, short term impact. It is the equivalent to Time Magazine's Man of the Year, who is often forgotten within a few years, as life moves on. Or the Grammy for Best New Artist, rewarding potential rather than actual talent or work.
A wasted award, which could have been used by the many organizations that REALLY work for global peace to get some needed publicity and recognition.
endpov
I think Barack Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize not only because of who he is and because of the goal of world peace that he is striving for, but also very much because of the many millions who he represents. The President has embraced many good causes from many people around the world, not just in the United States. In light of that, he emerges as an extraordinary person and President during extraordinary times, one who is worthy indeed to receive this honor...
In short, that is my reasoning why the current President has won this award. Some say that it is just because he is a black man, yet do not acknowledge that he is also a very intelligent and caring individual. It would appear that the Obama Presidency has the intention, the potential and the ability to allow the United States and the world to diminish and avoid the serious problems among the many and diverse cultures and ethnic groups that have existed in the past. This is another important reason why the President of the United States has won this award.