I, like the rest of the world, was shocked this morning to read the news about the selection of Barack Obama for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize.  I, and most other people I’ve discussed it with all pretty much agree that it is undeserved.  Luckily, Obama himself seems to agree.  I thought that he should announce that he was going to reject the prize (if such a thing is possible), but even though he didn’t, I was impressed by his speech.  We all know that Obama is a good orator, but surprisingly he managed to convey all the right points, given the relative short amount of time he had to write it.  Key quote from the speech (emph. mine):

I am both surprised and deeply humbled by the decision of the Nobel Committee. Let me be clear, I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments, but rather as an affirmation of American leadership on behalf of aspirations held by people in all nations. 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.

I think that says it all, and it’s hard to see how Obama’s opponents can make anything bad out of it.  I think the part I bolded is downright patriotic, to be honest.  So, while I think that Obama did not deserve the award, I also think we need to keep things in perspective.  Obama did not grovel in front of the Nobel Committee for the prize; if you’re looking for anybody to point fingers at, they’re the best candidate.  I think the committee’s rationale for giving Obama the award is misguided, and their defense of it doesn’t make sense.  After all, Nobel Committee, Mikhail Gorbachev had been in office for several years by the time he got his prize.  They made the decision to give it to him, and Obama did the right thing to make his acceptance of the award about America and not himself.  Incidentally, most Republican arguments on this matter seem to be all about Obama.

I think the best course of action the President can take from here on out is to not make a big deal out of the prize.  He has already done well by promising to donate the $1.4 million monetary prize to charity.  Going further, he should eat his own words and immediately bequeath the medal to the White House, leaving it behind when he moves out after his term is over.  That way, the award will forever represent American leadership.