In Oslo, President Obama is Asked About His “Premature” Nobel Peace Prize
EmailJake Tapper and Sunlen Miller report:
OSLO, NORWAY — At his press conference in Oslo, Norway, with Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, President Obama was asked by a local reporter about criticism that his pending Nobel Peace Prize is “premature” and how he can use the prize to “make some of your good intentions materialize?”
“Upon receiving news of the prize it was a great surprise to me,” the president said. “I have no doubt that there are others who may be more deserving.”
The president said that his “task here is to continue on the path that I believe is not only important for America but important for lasting peace and security for the world.
“That means pursuing a world free of nuclear weapons over time and strengthening our mechanisms to avoid nuclear proliferation,” he said. “That means addressing climate change in an effective way. It means stabilizing counties like Afghanistan and mobilizing an international effort to terrorism that is consistent with our values and ideals. It means addressing issues of development and understanding the connection between economic justice and peace.
“So on a whole host of initiatives that I’ve put forward this year, some of which are beginning to bear fruit, the goal is not to win a popularity contest or to get an award — even one as esteemed as the Nobel Peace Prize — the goal is to advance American interests, make ourselves a continuing force for good in the world. Something that we have been for decades now,” he said.
“And if I’m successful in those tasks then hopefully some of the criticism will subside, but that’s not really my concern,” he concluded. “And if I’m not successful then all the praise and the awards in the world won’t disguise that fact.”
Stoltenberg chimed in that President Obama’s Nobel is a “well deserved and important award.”
Earlier, after the president went to the Nobel Institute where he signed legal documents giving the Nobel Committee the right to publish his pending Peace Prize speech, as well as a book with the signatures of previous Peace Prize recipients.
The president signed it first, followed by the First Lady, who said “mine won’t be as long.”
Standing there watching Michelle Obama sign the book, the president said with a bemused look on his face, “She will resist writing something sarcastic, since this will be recorded for the future.”
Those assembled laughed.
Asked what he wrote, the president joked, “I wrote, ‘Thank you.’”
“No, what I did write actually is worth mentioning,” he added. “In addition to being honored to receive it, I think it’s important to congratulate the Nobel Committee for the work that it’s done over the course of history to highlight the cause of peace, but also to give voice to the voiceless and the oppressed around the world.”
Referring to the photographs of previous winners on the wall behind him, the president said, “when you look at the wall — Michelle and I were commenting on the fact that when Dr. King won his price it had a galvanizing effect around the world, but also lifted his stature in the United States in a way that allowed him to be more effective. And that’s a legacy of the Nobel Committee that we’re very grateful for.”
- Jake Tapper and Sunlen Miller
*This post has been updated.
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I hope Biden wins next year. He’s done so much to promote interracial harmony.
Posted by: Denbo | December 10, 2009, 6:47 am 6:47 am
ha, ha, ha….screw the country up as best you can in these four years because you definately wont get voted in for four more
Posted by: s | December 10, 2009, 7:03 am 7:03 am
On the eve of sending 30,000 more troops to that rat pit Afghanistan and with two wars ongoing, the Nobel committee thinks no one else could be more deserving. So much for their credibility.
And as far as “advancing American interests”, would the president please explain. (that would mean another speech by the way)
Posted by: indymind | December 10, 2009, 7:09 am 7:09 am
Swedish newspapers are calling Obama “arrogant” and “impolite” …To give a guy who has done nothing this prize is a joke.
Obama just sent 30,000 more troops to war and he gets the Peace Prize. LOL
Posted by: CW | December 10, 2009, 7:10 am 7:10 am
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ, someone wake me up when the dog-and-pony show is over. What a self serving egotist!
Posted by: Machod | December 10, 2009, 7:13 am 7:13 am
HUMBLE??!! This guy is ANYTHING but humble!
Posted by: M. Smith | December 10, 2009, 7:20 am 7:20 am
Now THAT is an actual journalist.
Posted by: Dave Andersen | December 10, 2009, 7:21 am 7:21 am
Well deserved!! You are an inspiration to the entire world, rising above all sorts of impossibilities and making everyone believe that “We Can” thank you President Obama for being an inspiration to the entire world. Thanks to the Nobel Committee.
Posted by: Irene | December 10, 2009, 7:25 am 7:25 am
Obama “humble” ? Are you kidding? The Swedish are even calling Obama arrogant.
Posted by: CW | December 10, 2009, 7:26 am 7:26 am
These people who are criticizing Obama make me laugh. They likely voted Bush in office twice – a president who single-handedly set us back 50 years, desecrated the Constiution, and left our economy in shambles, and they have the gall to criticize Obama, a guy who has done more good than Bush has done in 3 lifetimes.
Posted by: JC | December 10, 2009, 7:36 am 7:36 am
It will look good beside his Community Organizer and Acorn awards……and carry just as much weight with the rest of the world as they do. All this has done is lessen the award and penalize all those worthy folks that come after him.
Posted by: keith | December 10, 2009, 7:37 am 7:37 am
War President wins Peace prize?
Hmmmm…is there something wrong there?
Posted by: wally | December 10, 2009, 7:39 am 7:39 am
Even if you don’t think Obama deserves the award, isn’t it refreshing to see the POTUS get a standing ovation from other international leaders instead of getting shoes thrown at him?
Posted by: Tom | December 10, 2009, 7:40 am 7:40 am
Premature Presidency too.
Posted by: mjishernameo | December 10, 2009, 7:41 am 7:41 am
Now don’t get me wrong, I hated Bush’s terms but…. Obama? a president of WAR getting the Nobel PEACE Prize? WOW.
Posted by: ivanvas55 | December 10, 2009, 7:42 am 7:42 am
lol You beat me to the punch, Wally
Posted by: ivanvas55 | December 10, 2009, 7:43 am 7:43 am
s….Bush “SCREWED” the country…and everyone knows it but you. You even voted to be screwed for another 4 year. How in the heck does a President in 11 months “Screw” the country up. Any “pea” brain knows it takes more than 11 months to cause all the “ravage” we are dealing with. And by the way, we need the President to complete what the AMERICAN people voted him in to do. Dah!
Posted by: sara | December 10, 2009, 7:46 am 7:46 am
Not a popularity contest? That’s all this is. Just an extension of the campaign where people were sucked in by feel good speeches and didn’t bother looking at his record or (lack of) accomplishments. I have had my eyes opened at how insignificant it is to win a Nobel Prize. Maybe Tiger can win it next year for something……
Posted by: Jet | December 10, 2009, 7:50 am 7:50 am
I like peace too, but if there’s a war raging when I took office…my first duty would be to defend the country and draw the war to closure. He was against the “dumb” war, that only a “dumb” president would lead us in.
Posted by: sara | December 10, 2009, 7:59 am 7:59 am
Denbo…We don’t necessary want interracial harmony…..and why would Biden win it next year. Keep your little bitty race. Who cares. Stay Stuck. Right always win.
Posted by: sara | December 10, 2009, 8:02 am 8:02 am
Why is the media constantly acting as if Obama should have some sort of guilt surrounding the peace prize, as if it was his idea to award it to himself?
Posted by: Matt | December 10, 2009, 8:02 am 8:02 am
“as if it was his idea to award it to himself”
You should have had a content warning. I almost spit my coffee out.
Obama wrote (or had help writing) two memoirs about himself before he had accomplished anything, if he could award himself ANY awards, he certainly would.
Posted by: Jacobina | December 10, 2009, 8:20 am 8:20 am
Why is the media constantly acting as if Obama should have some sort of guilt surrounding the peace prize, as if it was his idea to award it to himself?
Posted by: Matt | Dec 10, 2009 8:02:28 AM
================================
I can’t figure that one out myself. What in the world is the man supposed to do about a prize that OTHER people decided that he should get?
Posted by: fill out | December 10, 2009, 8:22 am 8:22 am
Someone should remind the egomaniac in chief that unlike him – MLK Jr. actually accomplished something.
Posted by: bandit | December 10, 2009, 8:29 am 8:29 am
Wow, a President that actually doesn’t get shoes or tomatoes thrown at him.
Posted by: Wendy | December 10, 2009, 8:42 am 8:42 am
To fill out: TURN IT DOWN! Everybody knows that he hadn’t done a damn thing when he was awarded the Prize-he had just been inaugurated! This is affirmative action gone wild.Wait a minute, that describes his entire career.
Posted by: Nephron | December 10, 2009, 8:43 am 8:43 am
What a joke the Nobel Peace Prize has become. First given to Al Gore for producing a bunch of lies and false data. And now to Obama for doing a lot of TALKING.
Posted by: Snyder3123 | December 10, 2009, 8:44 am 8:44 am
Hey JC….when I started reading your post I was sure you were talking Obama…but keep on drinking the Koolaid…2012 can’t come soon enough.
Posted by: Snyder3123 | December 10, 2009, 8:48 am 8:48 am
JC said “…a president who single-handedly set us back 50 years, desecrated the Constiution, and left our economy in shambles…” I think you are refering to Obama and not Bush. Bush wasn’t great in any stretch of the imagination, but he’s a piker compared to Obama. And yes, Obama’s only been in office a short time and look what he’s “accomplished”, good or bad depending on whether you think America should be a great and free country or a third world country. I think we can all see where you stand.
Posted by: This is change? | December 10, 2009, 8:49 am 8:49 am
Why is the media constantly acting as if Obama should have some sort of guilt surrounding the peace prize, as if it was his idea to award it to himself?
Posted by: Matt | Dec 10, 2009 8:02:28 AM
———————
Have you ever heard the word “jealousy”? You don’t think it would have anything to do with the constant whinning, would it? We all understand that not only the little lemmons….like the ones here….are fuming about this President. There are people who you and I would pick to be rationale that are also very jealous of what’s going on. I used to be afraid for this President, but I now say if God is with him, who can be against him? Congratulations, Mr. President! Not only are you now admired by billions around the world, the majority of the world in the future will look up to you as a great hero. I pray to God you don’t let the current adulations get to you, or don’t get too down by the nagging hatred.
Posted by: David | December 10, 2009, 8:56 am 8:56 am
“Stoltenberg chimed in that President Obama’s Nobel is a ‘well deserved and important award.’”
When you have to “chime in” this little ditty of information without even filling in one “why” it was given; you pretty much sum up the ridiculousness of this formerly “important” award.
Posted by: The Audacity of Copenhagen | December 10, 2009, 8:57 am 8:57 am
I liked the way he brought up Global Warming while the Midwest is buried by a blizzard and the first cold-snap of the year is on the way.Truly a limited intellect- the truth is coming out slowly but surely; the only thing keeping this charade going is an incurious press ; these “geniuses” are whining about every tiny negative story so they may throw that away too.
Posted by: Nephron | December 10, 2009, 9:11 am 9:11 am
“I have no doubt that there are others who may be more deserving.”
May? LOL! What a interesting world of narcissistic delusion this little man lives in.
Posted by: Reggie1971 | December 10, 2009, 9:24 am 9:24 am
Sammy Obammy winning the NPP does not surprise me at all. I mean when we are letting people that, upon exit polling, can’t identify both Pres and VP candidates by picture!!!…what do you expect to happen. Furthermore, these same people are having their opinions reinforced by the Communist News Network and affiliates that just have too much market penetration. Also, we are talking about someone who’s law firm bought (by all intents and purposes) his first term senate seat, did countless other things that were either for his own benefit or that of someone besides the American Public. I could go on and on, but my final comment is not to be surprised by anything that this “Commander-in-Chief” does…especially accept an award that he does not deserve and was nominated for (I think it was) 12 days after in office. If you allow yourself to be surprised by ignorant, devious, immoral, and stupid decisions made by the Pres-izzle then you will live in a constant state of shock and awe!!!
Posted by: TruePatriot | December 10, 2009, 10:34 am 10:34 am
I like the way Global Warmists use acute episodes of heat waves and specific storms like hurricanes(eg.,Katrina) as being secondary to the effects of Global Warming,but are critical of those who point out contradictory temperature data. I just saw a video of Al Gore stating that the polar icecap had been stable for 3 million years.Alyson,do you believe that?Do you believe his statement that the interior of the Earth has a temperature of one milliom degrees or higher? Do you believe his statement that the CRU e-mails are all “ten years old”? Do you believe in ether?
Posted by: Nephron | December 10, 2009, 11:24 am 11:24 am
Alyson,do you believe that?Do you believe his statement that the interior of the Earth has a temperature of one milliom degrees or higher? Do you believe his statement that the CRU e-mails are all “ten years old”? Do you believe in ether?
No, I don’t believe any of it but now I’m invested in defending it and my dreamy president.
Posted by: Alison | December 10, 2009, 11:31 am 11:31 am
And I have a quite a few investments in green tech and alternate energy, so, yep, folks as a cutthroat moneymaker, I’m invested and my sons’ college funds will look much brighter if we do the right thing.
Posted by: Alyson |
Did you know that George Soros biggest investment is Petrobras? Does he know something you don’t?
Posted by: Foghorn Leghorn | December 10, 2009, 12:18 pm 12:18 pm
All Hail Obama!
All Hail the State!
Am I doing it right, Alyson
Posted by: JamesJ | December 10, 2009, 12:18 pm 12:18 pm
The problem I have with the Global Warmists is their inability to reconcile their temperature claims with documented facts.I don’t believe that Mann, Jones,et. al. were ever very familiar with the recorded history of the last 2000 thousand years.To state that the recent 20th century warming trend was extreme and that recent temperatures are the highest in recent history can be refuted by going to the library.1000 years ago unhybridized vinifera grapes were growing in England; present climate precludes that.1000 years ago labrusca grapes were growing in Newfoundland;present climate precludes that.1000 years ago horticulture was practiced in Greenland;present climate precludes that.Dendochronology is a great tool for dating, but it is much less reliable for interpreting climate, as Dr. Mann et. al. have been doing.Obviously the Northern Hemisphere was warmer 1000 years ago than today-and the Global Warmists can’t account for it.
Posted by: Nephron | December 10, 2009, 12:51 pm 12:51 pm
“It’s the conservatives and Republicans who think blind obedience and praise of a leader is “moral” and “good” unless the leader is liberal”
Posted by: Cara A | Dec 10, 2009 12:40:44 PM
Care to provide an example? For instance, fanatically supporting someone with no executive experience, little legislative experience, and radical associations unreservedly would be an example of blind obedience.
Posted by: Reggie1971 | December 10, 2009, 1:04 pm 1:04 pm
So, I guess Tiger Woods is next to get the peace prize. At least he something for it!
Posted by: Chaly | December 10, 2009, 1:14 pm 1:14 pm
“Premature” Nobel Peace Prize
Maybe, he should wear double gloves next time…
C’mon. You all thought it.
Posted by: Trojan War | December 10, 2009, 2:15 pm 2:15 pm
Posted by: Cara A |
S’pose you were to demonstrate your independent, free thinking by offering a criticism of anything the Democrats have done in the last year.
Specifically, how about Obamacare? You like all 2000+ pages?
Posted by: Foghorn Leghorn | December 10, 2009, 2:23 pm 2:23 pm
You can look at any pics of tea parties to see the disgusting signs that have been on display, and the ADL has even issued reports on the extremism and hate of the right wing.
_________________________________
Yes, and the sad part is there is a sector of America dumb enough and poorly enough informed to believe the propaganda, the extremism and the hate of the right wing.
Posted by: tierra | December 10, 2009, 3:08 pm 3:08 pm
Cara, I’ll see your Koch reference and raise you a George Soros and his Open Society Institute.
Posted by: Trojan War | December 10, 2009, 3:12 pm 3:12 pm
And the leftist liberals and anachists never hold signs that are disrespectful or hate-filled. Riiiiight.
Posted by: Trojan War | December 10, 2009, 3:13 pm 3:13 pm
“S’pose you were to demonstrate your independent, free thinking by offering a criticism of anything the Democrats have done in the last year.”
Cara,
Foghorn loves to tell people (specifically anyone on the left) that they have to be objective and criticize boith sides but he never does so himself.
Like many other right wingers he’s a hypocrite.
Posted by: Ryan C | December 10, 2009, 3:17 pm 3:17 pm
Yes, and the sad part is there is a sector of America dumb enough and poorly enough informed to believe the propaganda, the extremism and the hate of the right wing.
Posted by: tierra | Dec 10, 2009 3:08:29 PM
The ADL has chastised people like Keith Olbermann and other left wing loonies for comparing conservatives to Hitler.
I think MSNBC serves as a good example of the vile and hateful nature of the extreme left in this country. They look down on middle America and ridicule it with glee, and are relentlessly hostile to traditional American values. Absolute scum.
Posted by: Reggie1971 | December 10, 2009, 3:18 pm 3:18 pm
“Care to provide an example?”
Examples of the blind obedience of right wingers?
The concept of the ditto head ring any bells?
“For instance, fanatically supporting someone with no executive experience, little legislative experience, and radical associations unreservedly would be an example of blind obedience.”
11 years as a legislator is little legislative experience?
Posted by: Ryan C | December 10, 2009, 3:21 pm 3:21 pm
“The ADL has chastised people like Keith Olbermann and other left wing loonies for comparing conservatives to Hitler.”
Actually the ADL was upset by Olbermann using the Nazi salute while wearing an O’Reilly mask.
Speaking of O’Reilly and the ADL
“Dear Mr. O’Reilly:
We were deeply offended, as were many of your listeners who have contacted us, at your remark to a Jewish caller on the December 3 Radio Factor that, “if you are really offended” about attempts to convert Jews to Christianity, then “you gotta go to Israel then.”
American Jews are Americans. Jews and other religious minorities are part of America’s great tradition of religious freedom. The discomfort with proselytizing, or the intrusion of Christian teachings in public schools, is a very legitimate concern.
More dangerously, your remark plays into one of the oldest anti-Semitic canards about Jews, that they are not full citizens of a country and are not entitled to all of the rights afforded to the majority. The notion that religious minorities have no place in a Christian America and should leave may be acceptable for extremists, but it is unacceptable coming from a popular and respected media commentator.”
Posted by: Ryan C | December 10, 2009, 4:34 pm 4:34 pm
Freedom of speech, huh? Then why were my comments pulled? Oblahma is a liar and an incompetent president who sent a woman to act as his diplomatic liaison because he is inexperienced and deserves the Nobel Peace Prize about as much as George W. Bush deserves an honorable discharge from the presidency. God, where are the Clintons????
Posted by: deborah chinn | December 10, 2009, 5:56 pm 5:56 pm
“there are others who MAY be more deserving” ?!? does the narcissism of this man know no bounds ?
“america has been a force for good for DECADES” ?!? great that he finally had something nice to say about america but does this ivy leaguer know the difference between decades and centuries ? or did america’s ‘good’ begin on the day he was born ?
Posted by: el polacko | December 11, 2009, 1:37 am 1:37 am
Obama has done absolutely nothing except propose socializing our economy, our heatly care. He travels the globe to apologize for the greatness that is America. He puts down his “mother” country at every opportunity, including during his acceptance speech for his Nobel prize. I can’t stand the man, I DO hope he fails because he is ruining the United States of America.
Posted by: John B | December 11, 2009, 1:54 am 1:54 am
Obama was awarded this prize in, what was it Feb? A whole month in office and theres world peace. All iv’e seen him do is roll over like the whimpy European appeasers. Hear no evil, see no evil, speak of no evil, (except about the U.S.) fits don’t it.
Posted by: Grungler | December 11, 2009, 11:32 am 11:32 am
When the “Nobel Committee” awarded the Peace Prize to Al Gore, I was not sure whose reputation was more damaged: Gore’s or the committee’s.
With the Obama award, it is clear that it is the Nobel Committee whose reputation has finally been utterly destroyed.
The Nobel Peace Prize is a complete farce, and it should be retired.
Posted by: Jeff | December 11, 2009, 3:16 pm 3:16 pm
The Nobel Prize should be ignored.
Posted by: tanarg | December 13, 2009, 6:26 am 6:26 am
Why dont peace activists like John Lennon during the Vietnam War or Cindy Sheehan for the Iraq/Afghan War get the Peace Prize? Why does it go to warmongers like Barak Obama, Teddy Roosevelt and Henry Kissinger? or even climate warriors like Al Gore who has never criticized the American invasions of Iraq or Afghanistan?
Posted by: Rocky Mirza | December 13, 2009, 1:11 pm 1:11 pm