Many Americans, including the President himself, awoke to a surprising bit of news this morning: That President Barack Obama had been announced as the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize winner.
In announcing the winner, the Norwegian Nobel Committee said President Obama was chosen for his “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.” They went on to say that the President’s efforts to solve global problems including working toward a world free of nuclear weapons, played a big role in his winning this year’s prize.
“Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world’s attention, given its people hope for a better future.”
Many observers appear to be surprised by the announcement because he has just been in office for eight months. Nominations for the prize had to be submitted by February, only 12 days after Obama assumed the presidency.
“I am both surprised and deeply humbled,” Obama said at the White House. “I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments. But rather as an affirmation of American leadership. … I will accept this award as a call to action.”
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