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Nobel Jury: Obama Is the Right Choice

One says of critics: 'Where do these people come from?'

By the Associated Press

Posted Oct 13, 2009 12:58 PM CDT

(AP) – The Nobel panel that gave the peace prize to President Obama is strongly defending its choice amid widespread criticism. "We simply disagree that he has done nothing," said chairman Thorbjoern Jagland. Another of the five panelists said of critics: "Where do these people come from?" The four who returned calls to AP said they expected the decision to generate both surprise and criticism.

"He got the prize for what he has done," Jagland said, singling out Obama's efforts to heal the divide between the West and the Muslim world and scale down a Bush-era proposal for an anti-missile shield in Europe. "All these things have contributed to—I wouldn't say a safer world—but a world with less tension." That Obama took office a mere two weeks before the nomination deadline didn't seem to be a factor. Of the criticism that Obama didn't deserve it, a panelist said: "Don't you think that comments like that patronize Obama?"

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

President Barack Obama speaks about being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. (AP Photo)

Chairperson of the Norwegian Nobel Committee Thorbjorn Jagland. (AP Photo)

Jagland singles out Obama's contributions to Mideast peace as one of the reasons for the prize. (AP Photo)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Alfred Nobel wrote that the prize should go to the person who has contributed most to the development of peace in the previous year. Who has done more for that than Barack Obama? - Committee chairman Thorbjoern Jagland

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 23 comments

Doctor-Zaius

Oct 13, 2009 10:03 AM CDT

Actually it was more than half. That's why he won

Circusdog

Oct 13, 2009 9:25 AM CDT

Christ! Get over it!

Galileo

Oct 13, 2009 8:56 AM CDT

Indeed the "jury" is in LibertyMan. Are you referring to conservative commentators? Before your typed this comment, did you research the Presidents you named and compare and contrast the political climate, status of the economy, and other challenges existent in their presidencies? I hope so because for a comparison to be valid there need to be similarities. For example it wouldn't make sense for me to compare George Washington and George Bush because they are both named George. Make sense? I enjoyed looking at your bio and seeing that you have thumbed yourself up 194 times. Classy!

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missile shield • Norway • Nobel Prize • Nobel Peace Prize • Mideast peace • President Obama • Nobel laureates • committee • Thornbjoern Jagland • Obama Nobel Peace Prize

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Nobel Jury: Obama Is the Right Choice