There are two reasons why Obama should not accept the Nobel Peace Prize: merit and politics. The only thing Obama should do is humbly turn down the Prize with a "I have not earned this yet, but I hope someday I will," and here is why....
On one level it makes sense just in terms of merit: Obama has not accomplished enough to deserve the Nobel Peace Prize. Carter accomplished a lot in the middle east, and so far Obama can't match those accomplishments. He has only been President for less than a year. All he has to show for it so far is a reversal of Bush's diplomatic policies of not talking to anyone. That in itself does not a Nobel Peace Prize deserve.
Perhaps internationally this is viewed differently. As an American who voted for Obama, I have thus far been sorely disappointed by what he has not done. I expected "Change" and haven't seen much of that yet. We have a new President, but the US is still mostly the same US it was under Bush's last term. Even things which might be taken care of fairly quickly like reversing DADT or closing Gitmo have gotten no traction.
That's my domestic perspective, perhaps internationally they see a huge change. They see Hillary Clinton making trips on behalf of our country now. They see Obama willing to talk to world leaders, and do so intelligently. That huge sigh of relief they feel may make Obama seem like a man who has accomplished a lot more than he has actually delivered.
But the big reason Obama should return the Peace Prize, isn't because of whether or not he deserves it: it's because politically it's the only thing he can do.
Make no mistake, the Republicans will LOVE that Obama is getting the Nobel Peace Prize. This is the bomb in their arsenal of verbal attacks against the President. We will never hear the end of this if Obama accepts it. It will make him look bad, and it all just backs up the Republican argument that Obama is all talk, no substance.
If, however, Obama returns the Peace Price, that will make him appear very humble. It will also give the Republicans one less thing to complain about. There really is no way Obama can accept the Prize and not experience a backlash, probably even from some Democrats.
Turn down the Nobel Peace Prize with a humble, "I have not earned this yet, but I hope someday I will," and you can experience some praise from your decision both domestically and abroad. It will make you look very good in everyone's eyes, and the Republicans won't be ridiculing you for receiving this award when it comes time to campaign for your second term.
-Corby
UPDATE:
To those attacking me:
I was made aware of this news story today when I got to work and a co-worker messaged me about it. I then did a quick Google News search to see what he was talking about. He and I discussed it a little bit and then I decided to write this diary while my thoughts were fresh and before I had gotten my chance to read any DailyKos articles today in Google Reader. I posted this with sincerity.
Regarding me being a right-wing concern troll:
I am a 28 year old gay, lacto-vegetarian, secular humanist atheist who is a US/Canadian dual citizen from Minnesota. I never watch FOX News, I watch Countdown and Rachel Maddow and read all DailyKos stories every day (as I have for years). I have listened to Rachel Maddow for years, and I was an Air America Premium subscriber because I would listen to her podcasts (as well as Al Franken and Thom Hartmann) while driving to work or school. I voted for Gore in 2000, which was the first election I was eligible to vote. I voted in 2002 and helped Napolitano get elected in my state of AZ. I voted in 2004 for Kerry. I volunteered every day in 2006 with MoveOn.org and made phone calls that hopefully helped us win a few seats. I voted in 2008 for Obama and donated to Edwards', Obama's, and Franken's campaigns.
Think what you will, but I am a dyed-in-the-wool progressive and liberal. When you attack me with such nastiness you are attacking one of your own. This has been very hurtful, and I have to say that many of you have let me down today. Listen to Thom Hartmann a few times and see how he argues with people with opposing views. He makes counter-points to any points raised, and does so with respect, and through that method he almost always comes out the victor.
To anyone who disagrees with my diary, but nonetheless thinks I have a right to post my views here and don't deserve the nasty comments: thank you. It's a shame you and I have been unable to have an honest discussion through the flood of childish "FAIL" comments.