Honestly, I just don't get it.

He seen as a sign that things could be better.
A Black man running the most powerful country in the world.
Who would have even considered it 10 yrs ago.

I still long for the day someone can get recognition for accomplishments without being torn down. Whether or not I personally feel he should get the award - he DID get it - and I congratulate him.

... talk about giving peace a chance ...

I'm with Markk

Way to go President Obama.

I am afraid it may hurt his credibility.

I dont see how.

I think it does because he was awarded it before really doing anything. I support him. But I don't see this being valid.

Some high-profile reactions:

Jeffrey Goldberg of the Atlantic had it about right: "It might be smart for Obama to turn this prize down, at least until he achieves peace somewhere. Or trade for Olympics."

Former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton said: "He should decline it and then ask to be considered again in three or four years when he has a record."

Time's Nancy Gibbs wrote: "The last thing Barack Obama needed at this moment in his presidency and our politics is a prize for a promise."

How about doing something in his capacity as President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces to withdraw from an illegal occupation of a country that we INVADED? Would that not be promoting peace?

How about revamping our foreign policy which currently relies on bribes (foreign aid) and bombs to a policy in which we stop running around the world seeking dragons to slay? How about adapting a policy which will inspire people to love America instead of fear it? This is how it USED to be. This is why the people, not the GOVERNMENT, of France, gave us that Statue of Liberty.

Has anyone noticed that no one has been trying to give us another Statue of Liberty lately? Why do you think this is?

In general, foreigners love McDonalds and our culture and countless other consumer goods and services we export, but they hate our government (except foreign governments who happily take our bribes to keep them in power, of course)

What kind of Bizzaro-world are we living in now, where the leader of a country that continues the illegal occupations of 2 sovereign countries which has resulted in the deaths well over a million people is admired and respected?

Am I confused? Am I stupid? Do I simply not "get it"? Somebody wake me up please, so that I can make sense out of what I'm seeing!!

That doesn't hurt his credibility, just the credibility of the committee. The Nobel isn't something you "run" or "campaign" for; he had no choice in the matter and was likely just as surprised as anyone else.

The language of the award announcement suggests to me that the award was more of a swipe at the previous administration than a recognition of the current one.