It is strange that he was nominated only two weeks after being president as he did not have time to accomplish anything. This award appears to have political motivations that over weigh actual accomplishments. Other nominees had actually accomplished great deeds.

A large gasp was heard by be audience when it was announced.

U.S. President Barack Obama has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009.
Obama has called for a reduction in the world's stockpile of nuclear weapons
The Norwegian Nobel Committee praised "his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples."
The first African American to hold the country's highest office, Obama has called for disarmament and worked to restart the stalled Middle East peace process since taking office in January.
The committee said: "Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world's attention and given its people hope for a better future.
There will be people who will say this is a marvelous, inspired, award. But next year let's give it to Miss World
"His diplomacy is founded in the concept that those who are to lead the world must do so on the basis of values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world's population."
The committee said it attached special importance to Obama's vision of and work for a world without nuclear weapons.
The choice makes Obama the third sitting U.S. president to win the peace prize.
His administration officials said he was "humbled" to receive the award.
While his name had been mentioned in speculation before the award, many Nobel watchers believed it was too early to reward him.
The Taliban condemned the decision, saying Obama had "not taken a single step towards peace in Afghanistan."
Sky's foreign affairs editor Tim Marshall said: "There will be people who will say this is a marvelous, inspired, award.
"But next year let's give it to Miss World.
Every year Miss World comes on and says I want world peace and the world free of nuclear weapons. It's a hope, of aspiration.
"The deadline for nominations for the peace prize was February 1, someone nominated the President of America for his achievements 11 days into his presidency.
"This is a Nobel Peace Prize for not being George Bush. And I think it has been devalued."
Exiled Uighur leader Kadeer said the decision will raise expectations for Obama to stand up for human rights around the world.
Kadeer, who has often been tipped for the prestigious prize for her fight On behalf of the Chinese minority group, offered congratulations to Obama.
Afghan president Hamid Karzai said Obama was the "appropriate" person to win the peace prize.
European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso said it would encourage people hoping to build a safer world.
The UN's nuclear watchdog chief Mohamed ElBaradei said he was "absolutely delighted".
The prize, worth 10 million Swedish crowns (£900.000), will be handed over in Oslo on December 10

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/US-President-Barack-Obama-Awarded-Nobel-Peace-Prize-For-2009/Article/200910215402703?lpos=World_News_Carousel_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_15402703_US_President_Barack_Obama_Awarded_Nobel_Peace_Prize_For_2009

Nobel Peace Prize! Woot!

The first president to recieve it in office????

the third

if I remember correctly

It's an unprecedented honor for a U.S. president less than 9 months in the job. Only two other American occupants of the White House won the Nobel Peace Prize while in office, but for specific accomplishments.

• Theodore Roosevelt won in 1906 for helping to broker a peace treaty between Russia and Japan.

• Woodrow Wilson was honored in 1919 for his efforts to establish the League of Nations.

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/10/09/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry5374020.shtml