I consider myself a strong supporter of Barack Obama. I believe that during the course of his presidency, he will do more for world peace than anyone on the planet. He will be fully deserving of the Nobel Prize.
But that is then, this is now. He was nominated when he had been President for just two weeks. Much of what he is being commended for shows the right direction of travel, but the journey has barely started yet. You do not have to be an enemy of Obama to agree with his own words:
I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many transformative figures that have been honoured by this prize.
I would add the single final word, "yet". And I am not alone.
The Guardian is a left-leaning paper in the UK. Michael Tomasky has a comment piece today under the subheading
If Obama and his people try to act like the Nobel peace prize was really deserved, he could be politically damaged
He opens unambiguously:
Did Barack Obama earn this Nobel peace prize? Obviously not. The world's stockpile of nuclear weapons (the main specific area of his "work" named in the citation) hasn't decreased by one that I'm aware of since he took office. He hasn't made a dent in the Middle East yet. Iran hasn't suddenly seen the light.
Speculating on the Nobel Committee's motives, he then adds
So you have to wonder whether the Nobel committee has its tongue part-way up its cheek here. Or that the prize needed some star power. Or that they just really hated George Bush and wanted to make a point.
I must admit I rather like that last idea, and have a lot of sympathy for it.
In a poll on the Guardian's website, the reaction to the award is, at the time of writing, running two to one in favour of "it's far too early". So for those who say that everyone abroad thinks this is deserved, I'm sorry but that is just not true.
In another comment piece which reflects opinion in both directions, the surprise at the award is noted:
The choice of Obama for the prize from a field of more than 200 candidates astounded international commentators, in part because he took office less than two weeks before the February nomination deadline.
His name had been mentioned in speculation before the award but many Nobel watchers believed it was too early to award it to the president.
The article cites Michael Cox at the Chatham House thinktank, who are experts on international relations:
It is difficult to see why it would be awarded to him at this stage in his presidency. There are problems in the Middle East and an ongoing war in Afghanistan. You could say it is a little bit premature. It is certainly a very interesting choice.
Peter Beaumont, asking "Why now?" argues that giving Barack Obama the Nobel peace prize so early in his presidency could hinder rather than help his diplomatic efforts.
The reality is that the prize appears to have been awarded to Barack Obama for what he is not. For not being George W Bush. Or rather being less like the last president. The question now is whether having being anointed perhaps too early by the committee, a Nobel prize earned so cheaply and at so little cost will help him in his efforts on the international stage or rather be an albatross around his neck. Something against which all his future efforts will be judged – and perhaps found wanting.
The BBC's Have Your Say website has comments from all over the world and all shades of opinion. This, from "Lk, Berlin" is typical:
No doubt Obama has electrified the world. But I would reserve my further comments until 50 years from now - hopefully i will still be alive then- when I will see what motivated the committee to award him too fast ahead of time for what he intends accomplish.
But I will return to Michael Tomasky for the last word.
But there is one lovely, delicious, delectable thing about the whole business: it will drive the American right wing up the wall.
I normally can't stand to hear Rush Limbaugh's voice, but I just might listen today. I might flip on Fox for a bit. I'll make sure at some point this afternoon to Google "Orly Taitz and Obama Nobel" to imbibe the analysis on offer from the queen of the birthers. I'll definitely check in on the rightwing websites, and I urge you to do the same if you have the time. It's going to be an extremely entertaining day.