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GOP, Taliban & Even Some Liberals, Dismiss Obama’s Prize
Gee, you’d think a U.S. president who won the Nobel Peace Prize might get rave reviews from his party’s activists and polite congrats from top Republicans.
But news of Barack Obama’s award Friday drew a rebuke from the Republican Party chairman, ridicule from conservative bloggers, and even gripes from some liberals who think he hasn’t done enough to wind down the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Top Democrats congratulated Obama, of course, but critics abounded on the left and right.
“What has President Obama actually accomplished?” said Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee.
Steele, who took over the reins of the party earlier this year, said he thought it was “unfortunate that the president’s star power has outshined tireless advocates who have made real achievements working towards peace and human rights.”
He said he doesn’t think Obama will be “receiving any awards from Americans for job creation, fiscal responsibility, or backing up rhetoric with concrete action.”
Praise from Dems
There was praise from two Democrats who also have won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Former President Jimmy Carter, who won in 2002, called Obama’s selection a “bold statement of international support for his vision and commitment.”
And former Vice President Al Gore, who won two years ago, said Obama’s prize was “extremely well deserved.”
“I think that much of what he has accomplished already is going to be far more appreciated in the eyes of history, as it has been by the Nobel committee,” Gore said.
And some Republicans had kind words, too.
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., Obama’s presidential rival last year, told CNN he could not divine the Nobel committee’s intentions, “but I think part of their decision-making was expectations. And I’m sure the president understands that he now has even more to live up to. But as Americans, we’re proud when our president receives an award of that prestigious category.”
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty said, “under any circumstances I thought an appropriate response is congratulations.”
But GOP Rep. Gresham Barrett, who is running for governor of South Carolina, mocked Obama’s prize.
“I’m not sure what the international community loved best; his waffling on Afghanistan, pulling defense missiles out of Eastern Europe, turning his back on freedom fighters in Honduras, coddling Castro, siding with Palestinians against Israel, or almost getting tough on Iran,” Barrett said.
FOR CONTINUATION OF THIS STORY, CLICK THIS LINK FOR MSNBC: GOP, even some liberals, dismiss Obama’s prize – Capitol Hill- msnbc.com.
