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I’m nonplussed — I admire his efforts toward Middle East peace, but the prize still seems very premature. What has he done? Obama’s work on the Middle East, mostly through Senator Mitchell’s efforts, are sensible but haven’t produced any results yet. They certainly don’t match the intensive efforts that Bill Clinton made with his Middle East peace negotiations in the fall of 2000. Likewise, Obama’s efforts on nuclear disarmament/non-proliferation are important, but they are purely an aspiration. All the hard work is yet to come — and trying to renegotiate the NPT will be very hard indeed. In other areas, Obama has done little. He’s been largely absent on Sudan, Congo, Burma and global poverty and health issues, and doesn’t even have a USAID administrator. I think he has the right instincts on these issues and expect him to get engaged, but shouldn’t the Nobel Peace Prize have a higher bar than high expectations? Especially when there are so many people who have worked for years and years on the front lines, often in dangerous situations, to make a difference to the most voiceless people of the world? I think of Dr. Denis Mukwege at the Panzi Hospital in eastern Congo, or Jo and Lyn Lusi at the Heal Africa Hospital also in eastern Congo, or Dr. Paul Farmer of Partners in Health for his tireless work in Haiti and Rwanda, or Greg Mortenson traipsing all over Pakistan and Afghanistan to build schools, or Dr. Catherine Hamlin working for half a century to fight obstetric fistula and maternal mortality in Ethiopia, or so many others. In the light of that competition, it seems to me that it might have made sense to wait and give Obama the Nobel Peace Prize in his eighth year in office, after he has actually made peace somewhere. In any case, I do hope that the Prize gives Obama a bit more political capital in his Middle East peace efforts, and a bit more confidence and willingness to bang heads there when necessary. What do you think of Obama getting the Nobel Peace Prize, and who would have been your choice? - [Share]() Comments are no longer being accepted. Patricia Tratebas [October 9, 2009 · 8:16 am](https://archive.nytimes.com/kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/obama-and-the-nobel-peace-prize/#comment-152597 "Comment Permalink") obama getting the peace prize has uplifted my day. i almost left the country in 2007 because i had given up hope. when he came into office i declared: i have been waiting 40 years for obama & i mean it! it is a very strong statement for the HOPE that all of us are pinning on him & his presidency. i am a 58 year old single woman small business-owner & i have currently no health insurance. I have worked all my life in this country since age of 17. i have worked for the “masters of the universe” who destroyed the economy for the last 20 years (on their properties so i have seen them up close & personal). I deserve to believe that the world i believed in in 1968 & 1989 can still come to pass with Obama’s leadership. I want to believe & this award gives us new hope. At the very least maybe I’ll have health insurance by next spring & be able to live another 40 years & help to create peace & hope for others. Sam [October 9, 2009 · 8:18 am](https://archive.nytimes.com/kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/obama-and-the-nobel-peace-prize/#comment-152601 "Comment Permalink") Lasantha Wickramatunga ([//www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/stevecoll/2009/01/letter-from-the.html](https://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/stevecoll/2009/01/letter-from-the.html)) Joy E. Stocke [October 9, 2009 · 8:20 am](https://archive.nytimes.com/kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/obama-and-the-nobel-peace-prize/#comment-152603 "Comment Permalink") I can’t help thinking that this award is somehow also for America herself. We, as a nation, chose to elect him. Juliette [October 9, 2009 · 8:20 am](https://archive.nytimes.com/kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/obama-and-the-nobel-peace-prize/#comment-152605 "Comment Permalink") I’d like to see the prize go to someone “on the ground”; one of the many quiet people making the day to day difference, helping refugees, stopping famines, or maybe even staying in an office in Geneva, fundraising for these things to happen. Give it the UNHCR or another agency doing great work, in the name of all the people you never hear about. They deserve recognition. They’re accomplished so much. Freddie [October 9, 2009 · 8:24 am](https://archive.nytimes.com/kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/obama-and-the-nobel-peace-prize/#comment-152607 "Comment Permalink") Bill Gates would have been my choice…but I am still ecstatic about Obama coz I am a big fan of him. I do agree its premature but I cant help being excited about this. Nice post BTW :-) Jim Cashel [October 9, 2009 · 8:26 am](https://archive.nytimes.com/kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/obama-and-the-nobel-peace-prize/#comment-152609 "Comment Permalink") I agree that there are many heroic efforts also worthy of the prize (I’d add Partners in Health to your good list). But none of these efforts has done as much this year to recast international affairs as Obama — he has a much larger stage, and is using it well. hperson44 [October 9, 2009 · 8:27 am](https://archive.nytimes.com/kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/obama-and-the-nobel-peace-prize/#comment-152611 "Comment Permalink") political capital? once the ridicule beings, it’ll be hard for obama to capitalize at all on this prize. the nobel being used as a token of encouragement instead of an award for substantial efforts is disconcerting, esp since yes, there are people who have done a lot more to deserve it Marcia McLean [October 9, 2009 · 8:27 am](https://archive.nytimes.com/kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/obama-and-the-nobel-peace-prize/#comment-152613 "Comment Permalink") It’s a slap in the face to human rights activists and sympathizers everywhere, especially in China, Colombia, Jordan, Russia, Afghanistan and Vietnam. The Nobel committee has lost all credibility. As someone wrote this morning on Twitter, “Peace” must translate to “empty suit” in Norwegian. JW [October 9, 2009 · 8:28 am](https://archive.nytimes.com/kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/obama-and-the-nobel-peace-prize/#comment-152615 "Comment Permalink") I read (as apparently many other global observers have also) the announcement of the selection of Barack Obama as a 2009 prize recipient with the utmost disbelief. Surely, I thought, this was someone’s misguided attempt at humor. I mean honestly, this person was in his present position for approximately two weeks before the nomination deadline. Exactly what were the accomplishments of that two week period that made him nobel worthy, more so than other who have been endeavoring similarly in the fields you credit to Obama for many, many years. Even if the selection was to include his single term as a legislator, I still challenge you to produce a record worthy of Nobel consideration, let alone a prize. I am familiar with his record, and I submit there is none. There is another explanation. A very sad one. I believe the Nobel organization has sold, no worse, given away their credibility as an organization and diminished the value of the awards they bestow as another victim of the global cult of personality that swirls around Obama’s politically popular ethnicity. They have done a tremendous disservice to prior laureates, and others around the world whose legitimate efforts continue to go unrecognized. The Nobel organization has lost my respect. D.M. Lloyd [October 9, 2009 · 8:30 am](https://archive.nytimes.com/kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/obama-and-the-nobel-peace-prize/#comment-152617 "Comment Permalink") I hope Americans in general get the message better than Mr. Kristoff. The Nobel Peace Prize recognizes what he has done in promoting peace! That he encourages the rest of the world to follow his lead. His role and his effort is to convince the others to want the same thing – Peace. No one can do it on his own, but this man has the guits to tell the world what it faces if it continues in the same old ways of solving disputes, and the heart to follow through if the politicians will allow him. The rest of the World thought America was asleep when they voted for Bush, and the second time confirmed it. The rest of the world recognizes the exceptoonal vision and ability of the new president – to inspire people. America , be inspired and support him. Sarah E [October 9, 2009 · 8:31 am](https://archive.nytimes.com/kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/obama-and-the-nobel-peace-prize/#comment-152619 "Comment Permalink") I agree – I admire him and hope that he will be able to live up to our expectations, but I don’t think he deserves the prize – yet. Can prizes be given posthumously? I think Eleanor Roosevelt deserves the prize. Her legacy in crafting the definition of human rights has offered dignity and hope to millions. As far as Obama, I have questions about some of his policies. What will his aid policies be – will he push for the changes put forth to Congress this year? Will he choose a USAID director who sees their main purpose as securing the US or supporting countries and communities in their efforts to build their own economies? Also, his policies in Afghanistan – will our policy be to prevent civilian casualties at all costs, or will we continue to bomb areas where civilians might be located? It will be years before I know whether I think he is deserving of this award. Steve O [October 9, 2009 · 8:34 am](https://archive.nytimes.com/kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/obama-and-the-nobel-peace-prize/#comment-152621 "Comment Permalink") What he has done is to not be George W. Bush. He has moved immediately to bring the US back into the international community as a contributing and not a confrontational member. I am not sure that I would have voted for him based on that alone. But the Nobel Committee did so hats off to him. Someone [October 9, 2009 · 8:34 am](https://archive.nytimes.com/kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/obama-and-the-nobel-peace-prize/#comment-152623 "Comment Permalink") You’re an idiot. matt [October 9, 2009 · 8:35 am](https://archive.nytimes.com/kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/obama-and-the-nobel-peace-prize/#comment-152625 "Comment Permalink") Congratulations for not being George Bush, here is your prize. Love, Europe Richard Silkes [October 9, 2009 · 8:35 am](https://archive.nytimes.com/kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/obama-and-the-nobel-peace-prize/#comment-152627 "Comment Permalink") I was surprised. It seems premature to award a prize for rhetoric rather than results. Montana L [October 9, 2009 · 8:36 am](https://archive.nytimes.com/kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/obama-and-the-nobel-peace-prize/#comment-152629 "Comment Permalink") I popped open the news in a cafe and literally sputtered out loud, very loud, “What the f\*\*\*?!” I feel the same; Obama’s fine, but can you give someone the Nobel Peace Prize after 10 months in office? There’s going to be a lot of backlash over this; people who don’t like Obama anyway are going to cry louder that he’s got too much credit where none is due yet. I don’t think it’s going to be helpful to him. Tony Okonkwo [October 9, 2009 · 8:36 am](https://archive.nytimes.com/kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/obama-and-the-nobel-peace-prize/#comment-152631 "Comment Permalink") You fail to see that the United States is the ultimate theater of the world, and that all the world follows the efforts of the Obama administration to not only make a difference but right the many wrongs perpetrated by the Past regime. The happenings in the USA ultimately determines to a great extent where the world goes, and the world recognizes the many efforts of Obama to change a very charged and unhelpful tone in world affairs, and the many detractors he has had to deal with in making this effort. Ultimately the way the world sees what the electorate will see in 2012, the efforts of one to change the course of the world, and the detractors that have stubbornly resisted change. Reality Check [October 9, 2009 · 8:36 am](https://archive.nytimes.com/kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/obama-and-the-nobel-peace-prize/#comment-152633 "Comment Permalink") I love that the universal reaction to this has been incredulity. No matter someone’s politics or country, opinion has been unanimous that this was too soon. NYT, Guardian, Daily Telegraph, WSJ… I thought there was a decent chance he was going to win, for doing things I didn’t like and thought were ridiculous. Carter and Gore’s prizes being prime examples of this. The nominations closed Feb 1, when Obama had been President for 10 days and had hardly even announced anything, never mind done something. Other good candidates would have been Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai or murdered Iranian protester Neda Agha-Soltan. Randi [October 9, 2009 · 8:37 am](https://archive.nytimes.com/kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/obama-and-the-nobel-peace-prize/#comment-152635 "Comment Permalink") I am stunned. I would like to apologize on behalf of the Norwegian people. We live in such a small country, but every year we have an opportunity to shed a light and give a voice to people who are victims in forgotten conflicts. I have a hard time accepting the fact that the award instead was given to the world’s biggest celebrity. Marvin [October 9, 2009 · 8:38 am](https://archive.nytimes.com/kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/obama-and-the-nobel-peace-prize/#comment-152637 "Comment Permalink") I agree with you, and I say this as an Obama supporter. The award at best is premature. Ted [October 9, 2009 · 8:41 am](https://archive.nytimes.com/kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/obama-and-the-nobel-peace-prize/#comment-152639 "Comment Permalink") Ban Ki Moon Steve Walker [October 9, 2009 · 8:41 am](https://archive.nytimes.com/kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/obama-and-the-nobel-peace-prize/#comment-152643 "Comment Permalink") I completely agree about Obama and the Peace Prize. Here’s the email I sent the WH this morning: Dear President Obama: I have been and continue to be a strong supporter of yours. I think that, overall, you have done an admirable job so far, under trying circumstances. As an American, as a teacher, and as a former US diplomat, I am dismayed, however, that you were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize this morning. Honestly, you have not earned it and I find the decision patronizing. In essence, you won because you are not George W. Bush. When I helped lead the “Save Bosnia” campaign in the 1990s, I cam to appreciate the enormous sacrifices grassroots activists make every day in the cause of peace. I urge you, Mr. President, to turn this bizarre decision by the Nobel committee into an opportunity to reward and support a grassroots activist in the United States who is trying to bring peace to his/her community. Given the troubling gang-related violence in your hometown of Chicago, perhaps there is an organization there that could benefit from the attention and resources if you were to donate your award to them. I am sure there are hundreds, if not thousands, of activists and organizers in this country worthy of such an act of humility and compassion. Thank you for your service. I hope that a year from now we can say that you have truly earned this award. Best wishes, Steve Walker Natalia [October 9, 2009 · 8:43 am](https://archive.nytimes.com/kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/obama-and-the-nobel-peace-prize/#comment-152645 "Comment Permalink") According to Nobel’s will, the Peace Prize should be awarded “to the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.” As you mention in your article, President Obama has good intentions but it is far too premature to award him such a prize. W Haynes [October 9, 2009 · 8:44 am](https://archive.nytimes.com/kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/obama-and-the-nobel-peace-prize/#comment-152647 "Comment Permalink") In light of past winners, Yasser Arafat, Jimmy Carter and Al Gore, it’s no surprise that the pinheads in Oslo awarded the award to Barack Obama. They should wait to see what history has to say about his presidency. gjdagis [October 9, 2009 · 8:46 am](https://archive.nytimes.com/kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/obama-and-the-nobel-peace-prize/#comment-152649 "Comment Permalink") This “award” should have been named the Neville Chamberlain Prize.instead; considering what the criteria are for winning! Appeasement and simplistic rhetoric a means of preventing war? Tell us another fairy tale! I wonder if the winner needs to give it back when the same policies they won it for prove to be the obvious inducements for the horrible events and wars down the line. ## [Top News](https://www.nytimes.com/) [Go to the Home Page »](https://www.nytimes.com/) - [As Death Toll Surges in Iran, Leaders Take... Despite an internet blackout, reports are emerging of a rise in deadly violence as...](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/11/world/middleeast/iran-president-protests-economy-response.html) - [Deposed Shah’s Son Hopes Trump Will Put Iran... 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[Read more…](https://archive.nytimes.com/kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2017/07/25/born-poor-die-poor/) [](https://archive.nytimes.com/kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2017/07/13/for-women-in-prison-tampons-should-be-free/) ##### [For Women in Prison, Tampons Should Be Free](https://archive.nytimes.com/kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2017/07/13/for-women-in-prison-tampons-should-be-free/ "Read: For Women in Prison, Tampons Should Be Free") The availability of sanitary products isn’t simply a matter of budget lines and purchasing orders. It has to do with power. [Read more…](https://archive.nytimes.com/kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2017/07/13/for-women-in-prison-tampons-should-be-free/) ###### Sunday Magazine ##### [](https://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/24/magazine/24volunteerism-t.html) [D.I.Y. 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