President Obama spoke with the media early Friday (October 9th) about his surprising Nobel Peace Prize win.
He issued this statement via his website and you can read it below in full. You can also view the video of the press conference above.
This morning, Michelle and I awoke to some surprising and humbling news. At 6 a.m., we received word that I’d been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009.
To be honest, I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many of the transformative figures who’ve been honored by this prize — men and women who’ve inspired me and inspired the entire world through their courageous pursuit of peace.
But I also know that throughout history the Nobel Peace Prize has not just been used to honor specific achievement; it’s also been used as a means to give momentum to a set of causes.
That is why I’ve said that I will accept this award as a call to action, a call for all nations and all peoples to confront the common challenges of the 21st century. These challenges won’t all be met during my presidency, or even my lifetime. But I know these challenges can be met so long as it’s recognized that they will not be met by one person or one nation alone.
This award — and the call to action that comes with it — does not belong simply to me or my administration; it belongs to all people around the world who have fought for justice and for peace. And most of all, it belongs to you, the men and women of America, who have dared to hope and have worked so hard to make our world a little better.
So today we humbly recommit to the important work that we’ve begun together. I’m grateful that you’ve stood with me thus far, and I’m honored to continue our vital work in the years to come.
Thank you,
President Barack Obama
He does deserve it.
I’m so Proud of President Obama! He not only rallied a nation that at one time was plagued by racism but he impacted the entire world! Keep up the good work Commander and Chief and shake off all the haters!
Wow how exciting! Congrats to him wow!
Umm forgive me for being uninform but I dont understand how he could win this award. I have done research for my degree on many of the past winners and I just dont see the comparison.
A man destined for great things, only the third President of the USA to win the award, President Theodore Roosevelt and President Woodrow Wilson. Congrats President Barack Obama.
According to the five-member Norwegian Nobel committe, they lauded the change in global mood wrought by Obama’s calls for peace and cooperation, and praised his pledges to reduce the world stock of nuclear arms, ease US conflicts with the Muslim nations and strenghen its role in combating climate change.
@ 5…President Obama is the 4th President to win the Nobel Peace Prize. You forgot President Jimmy Carter.
I understand why he doesn’t feel like he deserves the award. Previous winners have actually accomplished things in their pursuit of a fair world. He hasn’t had the chance to prove himself. Nonetheless, I am extremely proud of him.
My history teacher (a white woman) said that it is a “travesty” this morning. I got up and left.
I agree with ASUNKEE
I’m proud of him too…its kinda tiring of hearing SOME people say he doesn’t deserve it. They haven’t really gave the man a chance yet, and umm…he has to clean up 8 years of what again? *crickets*
Thats not going to take a few months XD
Congrats OBAMA
people need to hating
i m proud of him
Good for him and us. For many years, white folks egos were stroked with awards and prizes for doing nothing but being white. I am most proud and love the heartbreak it brings to his enemies, especially Uncle Tom Steele. Rock on Obama! Doesn’t he have and Oscar as well for the Best Spoken Word? Next stop…Pulitzer!
I mean there must have been a reason the Nobel Prize committe decided to choose. Maxwell said on twitter “give it, it’s a trap”
lol..but if they felt like he deserved it, then there should be no reason to judge his win.
Congrats President Barack Obama
——As a black person, I’m offended that Barack didn’t receive this based upon an outstanding body of work.
\\—They basically just gave it away.
Im So Proud Of Him…
Standing ovation to: President Barack Obama, who is the 1st African American Commander in Chief to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. We moved from a president of War (Bush) to a president of Peace! People of so little faith, haven’t you any hope ??? President Obama has orchestrated repetitiously he is a global peacemaker; just one of the many reasons why he was nominated. This is just the beginning, “You ain’t seen nothing yet”!!
@ Jimmy_Choo
What are you proud of? Am I in the twighlight zone.
He didn’t do sh*t to deserve a nobel peace prize.
Let’s just give Beyonce an Oscar, just because. Will you be proud of her too?
@ 7
You’re right
sigh!!!!!!!! Excited and confused at the same time. Something tells me that they are setting Pres. Obama up for failure. It is a historical accomplishemt. I understand the committies decision because he united a nation and world by being Different. People embraced that, In america, however we still have work to do because there is so much hate toward him. Be safe Obama
This is amazing & yet there are idiots somewhere in the world who will get up on TV & perform in black face as was the case in Australia!
http://www.rantsthoughtsm...riety-show-dumbasses.html
im sorry im with MR O on this he does not desever this award really tho.. itz too early only 9 months n office ,,,, he has not accomplish nothing at all ….they should have waited till he has a record the media has and an outfall on this but still congratz i guess
This weekend is big for the elite numerologically (both Saturday and Sunday are 911 backwards). They like to stage events according to divine numbers and dates. It’s strange that they announce this “award” for this man preceding this weekend…..
Again, much congratulations to President Obama for this honor. Still, I think handing him a Nobel Peace Prize is similar to giving a newborn baby a “People Magazine’s Most Beautiful People” award. Good intentions, but bad timing.
Congrats to President Obama!!! I feel that he deserves it regradless of what some “haters” might think! Obama has accomplished many things with his campaign alone when he ran for office! America needs change, this is very true but cannot be done in a matter of months! This is YEARS of damage that dated even before Bush, although it seems as if his done the most damage! In time, efforts of change will begin to reveal but right now its to early to fix the OH SO MANY wrongs in our economy! People are just so eager to blame that he is doing nothing when he JUST got into office, im sure these are some of the same people who re-elected Bush back into office to give him more chance to mess up America. I went to the movies to see that movie Capitalism: A Love Story everyone should go see it!!! Eye opener!
It is hilarious that fat, jealous, lazy, pigs in this country, who spend their days spew hatred, have the nerve to be criticizing President Obama, a man who is working everyday to keep the American people safe, A man who is trying to bring about a peace agreement in the Middle East, A man who is trying to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, trying to prevent countries like Iran, and North korea from developing a nuclear weapon that threatens the world population. What is there to criticize! NOTHING! —- The Republicans on the other hand have done NOTHING, and have once again shown themselves to be jealous, whiny, pathetic idiots, who do NOTHING for their country except spread hatred every single days.
@ #22 Tiffany’
B***ch plz! Why do we have to hate on the president? Please tell me why shud I, a college student, or any other ordinary black person hate on Obama? I swear ppl use the word “hate” too loosely. Just becuz we feel he dnt deserve the damn award doesnt make us haters. I stated my reasonwhy feel he didnt deserve it…now go educated ur dumb azz and expand ur vocab with another word other than hate,
Whiners, watch this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooqkvd8JPfU
And he’s not the first person to receive a NPP with little body of work: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/...5001/vp/33249779#33249779
#26 You need to sit your hype internet tough ass down. Like she said you’re hating on the pres. as are many other idiots in this post. Obama’s work did not began with his campaign or presidency. This man has been working hard all his life and he has finally obtained a position where he can truly make a change. Rome wasn’t built in a day but he was a awarded for the EFFORT he is putting forward. If a white man can win for a piece of literary work WHY CAN’T THE PRES. WIN FOR ORATION OF A MESSAGE sans a hard back cover? You’re a idiot and a college degree wont change that so stop trying to use it to assert the intelligence you so obviously lack BITCH!! (since you like calling names.)
i am on the fence line on this….I dont get why people are giving reasons as to why he SHOULDNT instead be proud that he DID. Timing is an issue but how much time is enough? at the end of his presidency, the half-way point? who knows the fact is that he got it and it was puzzling to me that a white-man came to me and told me that the President had won it. of course i was on the defensive and i said “what’s really so bad about it” and i pose this to you people, WHAT IS SO BAD ABOUT IT? Who among the great scholars that post comments here actually think should have won it? its not like an MVP race or the best video of the year. If memory serves me correctly , Rev. MLK, JR received one as well and this man changed a worlds way of thinking by WALKING!!! WALKING!! Understand that this award came from 6 people BUT the entire WORLD took notice of this so that means that the WORLD despite our differences and problems is feeling this AFRICAN-AMERICAN man!! Not BUSH!! so that says ALOT for the world and OUR BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE. yes there will always be cynics, the world is full of them as there are haters in the world too but fellas did that ever stop us from doin us? nope and it shouldnt. Congrats to the family continue to charge hard and all of u that have been bustin yo a** keep doin it…WE WILL GET THERE TOGETHER….its just gonna take some time AND THATS REAL! PEACE MY PEOPLE
I couldn’t put it in better words, he said it himself..he doesn’t deserve it.
Can’t call me a hater if he said it first..lol
I feel so sorry for Obama.
They are setting him up and when he fails, all my black people who think he is their saviour will be plunged into more self-hate.
sad indeed.
I will just repost what I’ve said already about the criticism:
“People really need to get a grip. People weren’t even this uptight when President Bush sent us to 2 wars, Lied to the American public, left people stranded in New Orleans for five days, eroded our Civil Liberties with the Patriot Act and a host of other shit…America, get it together.”
Congrats to the President!! Now back to our regularly scheduled program about the 9.8% Unemployment Rate, 2 Wars, and Healthcare Reform.
On another note, has anyone noticed that President Obama has received MORE CRITICISM THAN any other President during their 1st Year in Office?
Let’s not forget what’s going on and President Obama needs unyielding support (not blind support) but unyielding.
CL folx, don’t get caught up in the criticism about Nobel Peace Prizes, stay focused on the bigger picture.
THE REASON WHY HE WILL FAIL AND WE AS A NATION WILL CRASH AND BURN IS BECAUSE THERE ARE IDIOTS WHO WILL GRASP AT ANY OPPORTUNITY TO TEAR HIM DOWN RATHER THAN BUILD HIM UP. WHETHER YOU LIKE HIM AND HIS MESSAGE OR NOT THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT HE HAS BROUGHT ABOUT A SPIRIT OF CHANGE GLOBALLY, HE’S INSPIRED US ALL AT SOME POINT IN HIS CAMPAIGN AND IN HIS PRESIDENCY THUS FAR TO BE BETTER, TO REACH FOR MORE. THIS IS NOT JUST AN AWARD BUT EVEN MORE ENCOURAGEMENT FOR HIM TO LEAD AND SPREAD THE MESSAGE THAT HE REPRESENTS. I’M SICK OF THE IDIOTS WHO CLAIM THAT THIS IS A SET UP FOR HIM TO FAIL, DID YOU EVER STOP TO THINK THAT THIS MAY EVEN BE MORE OF A BOOST FOR HIM TO SUCCEED. YOU PEOPLE MAKE ME SICK, STAND BEHIND YOUR PRESIDENT, STAND BEHIND YOUR COUNTRY, YOU KISS BEYONCE’S ASS ALL DAY LONG, BUT TEAR DOWN YOUR PRESIDENT ? WHERE IS YOUR FOCUS AND PRIORITIES GET IT TOGETHER PEOPLE SERIOUSLY.
lol no one is tearing him down. if someone deserves it, people will stand behind the decision. mlk deserved his award. he was one of the major players in the move for racial equality. im happy obama is president- i voted for him and like his policies. i’m always defending him but i don’t have to be behind this. i will say though that i’ve taken a look at the list and saw some names that were a bit shady to me. i’m sure there are others on the list that didn’t deserve it either
Give me a break you stupid ass idiots. Wake up in smell the coffee ain’t nobody hatin on Obama. He does not deserve that award yet. He will someday but not today. They may as well gave it to Bush. He need to tell them he is humble but keep that. They may as well give it to Mike Vick. Hell give it to Rush Limburg, Newt Gingrich, Tavis Smiley,Hell since they just handing it out like govenment cheese give it to a crack head.
All I can call it is God’ Favor. A lot of the articles and comments on “other” Sites are down right horrible. It’s pure hate! But for what ever reasons he was nominated for, the Committee voted and approved his nomination. He even said he did not feel worthy of the honor. But he got It!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I agree with a previous poster..he doesn’t deserve it all. No shade. But it’s a fact. He doesn’t compare in any shape or form with others that have one this award. This is exactly why many people claim that this will hurt him seriously. Let’s be real.
8won
I agree with #23 i’m so proud of him for what he has accomplished but I don’t think he deserved the Nobel Prize to be honest it really does seem like they just handed it away. The other people nominated did deserve it more than he did, either way congrats Obama
@#34 LINDA
“They may as well give it to Mike Vick. Hell give it to Rush Limburg, Newt Gingrich, Tavis Smiley,Hell since they just handing it out like govenment cheese give it to a crack head”
WITH AN IGNORANT STATEMENT LIKE THAT, MAYBE THEY SHOULD’VE GIVEN IT TO YOU, AFTER ALL YOU MUST BE THE CRACKHEAD YOU ARE REFERRING TO….. MORON
“…throughout history the Nobel Peace Prize has not just been used to honor specific achievement; it’s also been used as a means to give momentum to a set of causes.” -Obama
Everyone who is still goin back and forth about whether he DESERVED it or not is either deaf, dumb, or blind.
President Obama CLEARLY pointed out the fact that many who have won the award didn’t win it because of any concrete achievement that they can point to, they didn’t win it because they DESERVED it
In other words, he believes that he didn’t get it as a tribute to any accomplishment but as a means to bolster and add support for his agenda and his goals for the nation and the world!!!!!
So why are we still bitching about how he didn’t deserve it? it’s not ABOUT that. You all have selective hearing and reading. You only pick up on the points that you wanna prove instead of listening to the ENTIRE point and seeing the WHOLE picture.
OK WELL IF PRESIDENT OBAMA DOESN’T DESERVE THE AWARD THEN PLEASE TELL ME WHO DOES DESERVE IT AND WHY?
BTW DON’T SIT HERE AND TALK ABOUT WHAT HE HASN’T DONE WHEN MOST OF YOU HAVE NEVER DONE ANYTHING FOR ANYBODY BUT YOURSELVES.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO IMPROVE THE WORLD OR EVEN JUST YOUR COMMUNITY? PEOPLE KILL ME CRITICIZING WHEN THEY HAVEN’T ACCOMPLISHED EVEN 1/2 OF WHAT OBAMA HAS.
he is extremely humble and thats what i love about him! i love my president!!! Congrats =)
FURTHERMORE!!!
according to the committee they awarded Obama the prize, “”for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples” http://nobelprize.org/nob...zes/peace/laureates/2009/
….if they’ve already explained exactly why they gave it to him, why are we talking about whether he deserved it or not? they CLEARLY state their purpose for giving him the award.
If they said “for his extraordinary achievements,” then those who say he doesn’t deserve it would have an argument but NO ONE can argue that he has not been making great efforts!
AGAIN
They acknowledge that they are not awarding him for any concrete goals accomplished or achievements but for his extraordinary EFFORTS.
Last time i checked, no one here founded the Nobel Prize organization. So who are you to try to dictate the reasons that they can extend an award to someone? It is what they say it is! So shut the fuck up!
The people that Obama should thank for winning the Nobel Prize,are people like Rosa Parks,Martin Luther King,and the many other courageous black people in the past, who were raped and lynched ,in order to give black people the equal opportunity to become President or win a Nobel Prize,today.they were the prototypes. And Obama,should especially thank,a little green-eyed black boy,named Emmitt Till,who was kidnapped,by white men,who said that they would let him go,if he would just say,that black people were inferior to white people,Emmitt said that he would die,before he would say something like that,and they brutally beat him to death,his death sparked,the civil rights movement,that has given Obama,the opportunity to be President and win the Nobel.Thank you Emmitt Till .
Honestly,He Doesn”t Feel He Deserves It Himself…SEE
Anointed ONE….HeKnows Not to Play with The POWER – Thank You
@ 42
Obama has thanked and acknowledged those people many times in the past. Don’t even go there.
@ 43
The man is humbled by it and it was quite unexpected. He deserves it. Get over it.
Obama stated himself that he doesnt feel like he deserves this award, so why is it not okay to agree with him? 173 individuals were nominated for actually doing something, not with the intent of doing something… research it, use the web for knowledge not just gossiping. A total of 204 nominations were given to individuals, organizations, etc. Obama is being treated like a rockstar, its okay to be proud but also ask questions and dont just get fed what others are feeding you. Its too soon for him to win this prestigious award!! Dont forget Obama voted for our $700 billion to go to the banks instead of providing our people with food, etc.
I GUESS THE CRABS IN A BARREL UNCLE TOM BLACK PEOPLE ON THIS SITE WOULD BE HAPPY IF SOMEONE LIKE GEORGE BUSH WON THE AWARD. THAT WOULD MAKE YOU HAPPY I BET. LORD KNOWS BLACK FOLKS LIKE YOU ARE NEVER HAPPY TO SEE ANOTHER BLACK PERSON HAVE ANYTHING. YOU PROBABLY VOTED FOR MCCAIN ANYWAY.
P.S. WHETHER YOU THINK HE DESERVED IT OR NOT..HE HAS IT. IT’S HIS AND NO ONE CAN TAKE IT AWAY. JUST LIKE HIS PRESIDENCY. SO GET OVER IT.
Ha Ha I love it gotcha. Don’t be mad cause I hurt you when I spoke. Take that bait.. Becareful though when you do. I’ll be your moron crack head whatever you like number 41 in laughing all the way. Holla
@ 46 # , The Real Yay, what up Yay ! You know who this is,it`s the B , to the R , to the O , the O , K . LYN is the place that I stay. I agree Yay. You know, I hear a lot of people say, that Obama has accomplished a lot, but he really has not. Not because I`m hating on Barack , but because I` m not stupid,I know what the word accomplish means, it means to complete what you started, and Obama just has not been in office long enough to complete what he started. And your right, Yay. All black people owe an enormous amount of gratitude to Emmitt Till, how many black people,including Barack,could be held at gunpoint by racist whites,and given a choice ,to either say blacks are monkeys and inferior to whites or if you don`t say that, you will get your wig cap blown off, How many black people out there,including Barack are willing to die for their people,like Emmitt Till.
I’m sorry this really goes to how this man is place on the throne of God.
This man only been in the political public eye less than 8 years. Only been President for less than a year, and he gets Nobel Peace Prize? Pure foolishness.
The man hasn’t done anything. This is just taken away the prestige that the Nobel Peace Prize use to have.
Obama has such a huge weight on his shoulders. damned if he does, damned if he doesnt. however…. he has not accomplished much, and winning awards on potential, effort and things not yet achieved is kinda crazy, but he took it in stride. the pressure is on now to end two battles the usa is fighting in two countries. counteract the violence on inner city streets, and avoid a civil war because of the economy. i respect Obama’s position but feel sorry for the burden he carries.
I am not American, but I believe in this man, and wish ALL AMERICANS need to give him a chance, Michael Steele, Glen Beck, Rush, Republicans! Allow him to be the President the world hopes he can be! Congrats, and may God continue to bless you and guide your steps!
Get your panties out of a bunch, he hasn’t done anything to deserve this award. People who win this do amazing things, he has intents like all other politicians and like all other, alot of it won’t get done. If John Kerry won this award, it wouldn’t be fair but b/c he’s black like us, you are happy with it. Yes he’s a great guy but judge him on his work and not b/c he’s the same color. It is reverse racism and double standards and y’all need to take off your blinders and form opinions through research not the pigment you see.
i personally believe he deserved it. get it Obama!
I am backing my pres 100% but even he knows something isn’t right with this. I think they are putting way too much pressure on this man and haven’t even given him a chance to prove himself yet. People have so many negative things to say about him and he hasn’t even been in office a full year yet. He is a very humble individual and he’s taking it all in stride. Call me paranoid but the first black pres, and you think the “good ‘ol boys” are going to sit back and let him be better than the rest? They will do what ever it takes to try and set this man up for failure and make a mockery of him.
I fine this to be amazing. After serving over 20 years in the Marine’s I have never seen people so ready to give credit for things not desevered!!! I am all for giving him time to do his job but PEOPLE COME ON MARTIN LUTHER KING WON THIS ADWARD. Now if you think he should be compared to him please go back and read your history book. After reading if you still feel he should have got it we are doom!!!!!!
Please stop saying your HATING; that is not an answer!!!