Photo courtesy Mike Memoli, RealClearPolitics
By Talk Radio News Service White House Staff
President Obama says he was "surprised and deeply humbled" to be awarded this year's Nobel Peace Prize. Mr. Obama, who learned the news in a 6:00 a.m. phone call from White House Secretary Robert Gibbs, will travel to Oslo, Norway for the Dec. 10 award ceremony, which comes with a $1.4 million prize.
Standing in a sunny Rose Garden Friday morning, Obama said he doesn't feel like he deserves "to be in the company" of prior winners," adding "I do not view it as a recognition of my accomplishments, but rather as an affirmation of American leadership."
The Norwegian Nobel Committee, which made the stunning announcement around 5:00 a.m. Eastern time, said it selected Mr. Obama for his "extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples."
Asked by Talk Radio News about First Lady Michelle Obama's reaction, the President declined to comment. He appeared to downplay the event, saying daughter Malia came into the their bedroom to say "You won the Nobel Peace Prize."
Just 8 1/2 months into the job, Mr. Obama is now the third sitting American President to win the coveted award. Theodore Roosevelt won in 1906 for brokering an end to a war betwen Russia and Japan, and Woodrow Wilson was selected for the honor in 1919 for helping to establish the League of Nations after World War I.