Most of Nobel Panel Objected to Obama Pick

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

(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. More»

(NEWSER) - Republican pundits reacted predictably to news of President Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize. Noting that the committee gave the award on the basis of Obama’s efforts rather than accomplishments, John Bolton noted, “President Reagan called for a world without nuclear weapons; where was his Nobel peace prize?” But Reagan would have applauded the decision, writes Jonathan Curiel. More»

What do Sarkozy, Clinton and the Taliban have in common?

(NEWSER) - The decision to award President Obama the Nobel Peace Prize has clearly made some people unhappy, writes Katie Connolly for Newsweek. Here are six of the most peeved:

1. Nicolas Sarkozy: The French president was also up for the honor but was passed over for someone he’s described as “naïve and inexperienced.”
2. Michelle Obama: If you thought controlling “the one’s” ego was hard before…

Rush, fellow conservatives jump all over award

(NEWSER) - Rush Limbaugh doesn’t think the Nobel committee members were trying to honor President Obama—he thinks they’re trying to “emasculate" the United States. “With this ‘award’ the elites of the world are urging Obama, THE MAN OF PEACE, to not do the surge in Afghanistan,” he wrote in an e-mail to Politico. “They love a weakened, neutered US.” He added that he thought the award was a “greater embarrassment” than losing the 2016 Olympics. More»

President will accept the honor as a 'call to action'

(AP) - A beaming President Obama says he's honored to win the Nobel Peace Prize but isn't sure he's done enough to earn it. Appearing in the Rose Garden today, Obama acknowledged he was "both surprised and deeply humbled" to win the award. He said he does not "view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments," but rather as a recognition of goals he has set for the US and the world. The White House said later he will donate the $1.4 million that comes along with the prize to charity. More»