except that he didn't get it pre-emptively for his presidential achievements. Which makes me think that you don't know what you're talking about.

He had made a nice speech about improving relations between the West and the Arab world. It's a bit thin for a Nobel, though.

I like to see that Nobel Prize as having been awarded to the American voter. Electing a black president in a country with such a racist past is a fantastic milestone.

Consider that the election of Obama is the first time ever I have seen such outpourings of joy at the election of a US president in Europe. Not because it was Obama, but because it represented a return to normality after GWB.

The second term election of GWB was so surreal by European eyes that it seemed like some collective insanity had gripped large parts of American voters.

In response, when Obama was elected, there were election day parties many places in Europe. Some Americans celebrating always happens, of course, but this time you had Europeans going to parties to celebrate a US president.

The relief was the election of Obama brought was immense, and the Nobel prize is a reflection of just how deep felt it was in certain circles.