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Most of Nobel Panel Objected to Obama Pick

Chairman Thorbjoern Jagland talked fellow voters into selection

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 15, 2009 2:00 PM CDT

(Newser) – President Obama's Nobel Prize was a tough sell for the chairman of the committee that awarded the honor, with three of the five members initially opposing his selection, anonymous sources tell a Norwegian newspaper. They were persuaded mainly by chairman Thorbjoern Jagland, who strongly backed Obama from the beginning. The members agreed that Obama had solid nuclear disarmament and reconciliation initiatives in place, but some questioned whether he’d accomplished enough.

One newly elected committee member was especially skeptical of the pick. “I had expected a debate, especially around the issues I find problematic, the war in Afghanistan,” Aagot Valle told a Norwegian paper earlier this week. But when announcing the prize, Jagland said the decision was unanimous. A former PM of Norway, Jagland is known for his grand gestures and frequent gaffes.

Photographers and reporters gather around Chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Thorbjoern Jagland in Oslo, Oct. 9, 2009, as he announces that Barack Obama has won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. (AP Photo / Jon-Michael Josefsen, Scanpix)

Thorbjoern Jagland, chairman of the Nobel Committee, holds a picture of President Barack Obama, in Oslo, Norway, after the announcement of Obama as winner of the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. (AP Photo/Jon-Michael Josefsen, Scanpix)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 43 comments

Derni

Oct 16, 2009 12:54 PM CDT

Even if a member talked up Obama-as if others don't talk up other names-people! but remember: You had to vote and if you voted for him-you voted and no one else-so maybe you should look into holding to your guns and supporting the person you want and not saying..but he told us-me.. to vote

TimInKansasCIty

Oct 16, 2009 12:07 PM CDT

1.) There are two m's in 'Timmy' 2.) I'm glad you are more than just the "me" society (???) 3.) Sarcasm clearly escapes you. 4.) 'Glare' of hope? 5.) whereas you accurately described our former president as a warmonger wanna be, it seems as though your description of the former VP is a bit off (he was, at least during the administration's reign, clearly operating as out of sight as possible, and not babbling blatheringly).

Shannonals

Oct 16, 2009 5:39 AM CDT

Perhaps if you read the article versus just looking at the brief you would understand the President wasn't awarded anything, he was selected, and it was for his actions during 2008, not 2009. It amazes me that so many people are complaining because someone wins an award. The GOP is echoing comments made by our enemies, people are whinning because the President was even selected, not so much even awarded the prize. So tired of people flip flopping on issues, one minute they want the world to love us, the next they want everyone to fear us, and not a one of those people have ever served their country.

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Most of Nobel Panel Objected to Obama Pick

Chairman Thorbjoern Jagland talked fellow voters into selection

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Barack Obama • Norway • Nobel Prize • Nobel Peace Prize • President Obama • Thornbjoern Jagland • Aagot Valle

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Most of Nobel Panel Objected to Obama Pick

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Barack Obama • Norway • Nobel Prize • Nobel Peace Prize • President Obama • Thornbjoern Jagland • Aagot Valle

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More Newser Stories

Detroit Bust Would've Been Better Than Bailout

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'Accommodation' for religious employers will likely be announced today

Small Donors Gave 48% of Obama's 2011 Donations

That's more than double the proportion from 2007: analysis

No Child Left Behind Waiver Granted to 10 States

At least 28 more plan to seek one

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