2009 Nobel Peace Prize Controversy
In October 2009, President Barack Obama received the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize, an event widely reported as "surprising" to even the President and his advisers. Conservatives and others in the media ridiculed the selection process and the President. Criticisms ranged from claims that Obama was undeserving, to the fact that he had been nominated only twelve days after his inauguration, to claims that the Nobel Peace Prize is anti-American. In an October 9, 2009 public statement, RNC Chairman Michael Steele issued a public statement which rhetorically asked what Obama achievement the Nobel Prize recognized.
Woodhouse, as Communications Director of the Democratic National Committee, responded:
"The Republican Party has thrown in its lot with the terrorists - the Taliban and Hamas this morning - in criticizing the President for receiving the Nobel Peace prize -- an award he did not seek but that is nonetheless an honor in which every American can take great pride — unless of course you are the Republican Party. The 2009 version of the Republican Party has no boundaries, has no shame and has proved that they will put politics above patriotism at every turn. It’s no wonder only 20 percent of Americans admit to being Republicans anymore – it’s an embarrassing label to claim."
The Republican National Committee (RNC) responded:
"Like most Americans, the DNC can't think of one achievement that the president has accomplished, so they resort to their predictable response and standard playbook of demonizing those who disagree with them. ...Now, when challenged to answer the question of what the president has accomplished, Democrats are lashing out calling Republicans terrorists. That type of political rhetoric is shameful."
Read more about this topic: Brad Woodhouse
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