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WOW. Imagine being selected to win a major award without even trying. How great is that? Considering that President Obama was selected as this year's Nobel Peace Prize winner after only eleven days in office, without having yet done anything of note, it makes me wonder if I might not be eligible for a Pulitzer Prize for the commentaries I write. Not that I have been nominated by any newspapers or that any of my columns have been singled out for special recognition. They haven't, nor do I think they should be. But, hey, why should that matter?

Reaction to Obama's winning the Nobel Peace Prize has been mixed. Those who think he has not accomplished anything of consequence believe the award is completely unjustified, while his supporters argue that he has earned it because he has changed the tone of international diplomacy, especially the aggressive policy of the United States that was the hallmark of the Bush administration.

The Wall Street Journal commented, "The award reflects the enormous hopes invested in Mr. Obama, both in the U.S. and abroad, since he entered the White House, and occasionally unrealistic expectations that his presidency could change the face of international diplomacy."

TimesONLINE in the UK noted, "Rarely has an award had such an obvious political and partisan intent. It was clearly seen by the Norwegian Nobel committee as a way of expressing European gratitude for an end to the Bush Administration, approval of the election of America's first black president and hope that Washington will honour its promise to re-engage with the world...Instead, the prize risks looking preposterous in its claims, patronizing in its intentions and demeaning in its attempt to build up a man who has barely begun his period in office, let alone achieved any tangible outcome for peace."

Three comments about Obama's award that were sent to me are of particular interest:

"Former President Jimmy Carter, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, called Obama's selection a 'bold statement of international support for his vision and commitment.'" This from a man whose primary focus seems to be pursuing the historical legacy that he apparently believes is his due but has never received.

"Former Vice President Al Gore, who won two years ago, said, 'I think that much of what he has accomplished already is going to be far more appreciated in the eyes of history, as it has been by the Nobel committee.'" NOTE: Al Gore's Nobel Prize was awarded for his subsequently discredited PowerPoint presentation about global warming.

And, "Sen. John McCain, told CNN he could not divine the Nobel Committee's intentions, 'but I think part of their decision-making was expectations. And I'm sure the president understands that he now has even more to live up to. But as Americans, we're proud when our president receives an award of that prestigious category.'"

I can agree with Senator McCain's thought about being proud but, unfortunately, I am not able to associate that feeling with president Obama.

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