Barack Obama has won this year's Nobel Peace Price "for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples," the annual award's committee announced Friday morning in Oslo. "He has created a new international climate," said their statement.
The selection of the President, 48, is considered a stunning surprise, as his name had not been heard in speculation surrounding the choice of this year's honoree. But, said the committee, "We are awarding Obama for what he has done. Many other people and leaders and nations have to respond in a positive way" to President Obama's diplomacy.
In his nearly 10 months in office, President Obama has appealed for reductions in nuclear arsenals and is seeking to restart peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians. He has also faced challenges in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as from Iran, amid fears Tehran is seeking to build a nuclear weapon.
Thorbjorn Jagland, the chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee and a former prime minister of Norway, told reporters, "We are not awarding the prize for what may happen in the future but for what he has done in the previous year. We would hope this will enhance what he is trying to do."
The only other sitting U.S. Presidents to win the honor were Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson. Jimmy Carter's came after he left office.
Obama is humbled by the award, according to the White House.
******************************************************
He's only been on office 10 mos. This time I do have to agree with Shleed. Race card. Yeah, he's attempting to do lots of fabulous things but let's see how successful he is before you award him the prize.
