Obama’s Northern Exposure
Helle Dale /
The Nobel Committee’s choice of President Obama for the Nobel Peace Prize was baffling, to Norwegians and Americans alike. Even President Obama himself was amazed. As he admitted in his acceptance speech today, compared to other recipients, he has indeed accomplished “very little.” (And he had accomplished even less when the nomination was made last February, just days into his presidential term.) In some ways, it has made a joke of the entire idea of the Norwegian Peace Prize.
Yet, looked at from the perspective of creating controversy, the Nobel Committee acted true to form. Any committee that can award a Peace Prize with a straight face to former Vice President Al Gore for stopping global warming clearly has an agenda and an eye for controversy, rather than achievements. And of course, no one should underestimate the temptation felt by Europeans to stick it to former President George W. Bush, whenever the opportunity presents itself. (more…)