Obama wins Nobel Peace Prize

President Obama won the Nobel Prize for Peace today, less than a year after taking office. It was given in recognition of his fresh vision, one that a few Americans have been loathe to accept ("It's not how we've always DONE it," is the usual refrain) but that has encouraged the rest of the world.

"In less than a year in office, he has transformed the way we look at ourselves and the world we live in and rekindled hope for a world at peace with itself," said IAEA Director General, Mohamad ElBaradei.

I see it as an affirmation of the middle way - the way of political moderates in this country. We have called for balance in both our internal & external politics. Obama shares our vision, and has forged a path that combines idealism with pragmatism.

He has demonstrated to us and to the world that is not weakness to treat others with respect. It is not weakness to listen. It is not weakness to say, "Here we stand. Show us how we can stand together."

His approach is popular with most Americans, despite the shoutings of some whose outdated domination-theory politics brought condemnation from the rest of the world and led us to the brink of ruin. Obama saves us from obsolete 20th century Cold War mentality, and leads us by shaping the politics of the 21st century with its challenges and hope.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy said the award confirms "America's return to the hearts of the people of the world."

America's brightest destiny is to lead the world in prosperity & hope. Obama's vision can lead us down that path, as the Nobel committee has acknowledged. They said he has "created a new climate in international politics." I am proud of my president and proud of my country.