POLL: Did Obama Deserve Nobel Peace Prize

That is the question of the day, the year, and perhaps the decade!  There is a heated debate about what exactly Barack Obama has accomplished to earn the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize today, the pros and cons of this award and how it will affect the future of his Presidency.

“Let me be clear: I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments, but rather as an affirmation of American leadership on behalf of aspirations held by people in all nations. To be honest, I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many of the transformative figures who’ve been honored by this prize.” — Barack Obama.

Here are some reactions to President Barack Obama‘s 2009 Nobel Peace Prize win:

“And (the) Nobel Committee, I can’t divine all their intentions, but I think part of their decision-making was expectations. And I’m sure the president understands that he now has even more to live up to.” — Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

“It is a bold statement of international support for his vision and commitment to peace and harmony in international relations. It shows the hope his administration represents not only to our nation but to people around the world.” — Former President Jimmy Carter.

“I think it’s extremely well deserved. … I think it will take some time before people put together all the different moves that linked his speech at the U.N. on the abolishing of nuclear weapons, his shift on the missile defense program in Eastern Europe and the movement of Russia to joining the international consensus that confronted Iran to abide by the nonproliferation treaty.” — Former Vice President Al Gore.

“Freedom can not be delivered from the front seat of someone else’s Humvee. You have to end our involvement in Afghanistan now. If you don’t, you’ll have no choice but to return the prize to Oslo.” – Michael Moore.

“The real question Americans are asking is, ‘What has President Obama actually accomplished?’ It is unfortunate that the president’s star power has outshined tireless advocates who have made real achievements working towards peace and human rights.” — Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele.

“I’m not sure what the international community loved best; his waffling on Afghanistan, pulling defense missiles out of Eastern Europe, turning his back on freedom fighters in Honduras, coddling Castro, siding with Palestinians against Israel, or almost getting tough on Iran. The world may love it, but following in the footsteps of Jimmy Carter is not where America needs to go.” — Rep. Gresham Barrett, R-S.C.

“Giving this award to the leader of the most militarized country in the world, which has taken the human family against its will to war, will be rightly seen by many people around the world as a reward for his country’s aggression and domination.” — Mairead Maguire, a 1976 Nobel Peace Prize recipient.

“But Barack Obama’s presidency is 17 days younger than my daughter, and she just figured out how to put Cheerios into her mouth. The Norwegian Nobel Committee made a grave mistake by awarding him a Nobel Peace Prize.” – Jesse Barney.

“There is a slight whiff of condescension attending the announcement that Barack Obama has won the Nobel Peace Prize. There is the sense that he has won simply by not being George W. Bush. Effete Europe is congratulating rowdy America for cleaning up its act and not bringing guns to the dinner table…But let’s face it: this prize is premature to the point of ridiculousness” – Times columnist Joe Klein.

President Obama Wins Nobel Peace Prize
Complete All-Time List of Nobel Peace Prize Winners