by Damozel | Neener neener! Ha ha ha! (as Big Tent Democrat is wont to say, speaking for me only).
Many progressives are disturbed by the award. Tas of Comments from Left Field calls it ridiculous. .
If the “feeling” about Obama is the “game changer”, then why not award the Nobel Peace Prize to the entire American electorate? After all, we’re the ones whose feelings have changed — as shown by us collectively doing as much as possible to remove Republicans from power in Washington and treat the world better....
This prize should only be awarded to those who, as can be shown empirically, brought more peace to the world. To throw the prize at Obama — or anybody else — who simply causes the Nobel committee to “feel good” only cheapens the award.
Maria of Crooked Timber wrote the post to which Tas is reacting.
[T]his isn’t about domestic politics, or about what he’s done yet. President Obama has changed how the world feels about America. He’s lifted the planet’s mood. This guy is global Prozac.