DNC: Republicans Siding With Terrorists on Nobel Prize

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: White House

(AP)

Democratic National Committee communications director Brad Woodhouse is suggesting Republicans are siding with terrorists in their criticism of President Obama's Nobel Peace Prize award.

"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," Woodhouse said in a statement.

Woodhouse was responding to comments like this one, from Republican National Committee chief Michael Steele: "The real question Americans are asking is, 'What has President Obama actually accomplished?' It is unfortunate that the president's star power has outshined tireless advocates who have made real achievements working towards peace and human rights."

Said Woodhouse: "Republicans cheered when America failed to land the Olympics and now they are criticizing the President of the United States 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."

He added: "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."

More CBSNews.com Coverage on Obama Winning the Nobel Peace Prize:

Obama: Nobel Prize a "Call To Action"
Analysis: Nobel Peace Prize Doesn't Help Obama
Obama's Nobel Win: A "Mission Accomplished" Moment?
The Audacity of the Nobel Committee
Nobel Peace Prize an Unprecedented Honor for Obama
Obama's Next "Most Important Speech"
Placing a Wager on Peace
Nobel Peace Prize Shocks Bloggers: "This is Insane"

Obama's Remarks: Video Text
Politics of Obama's Nobel Win
Washington Unplugged: Nobel Prize "Complicates Things" for Obama
Nobel Peace Prize Photos
What's Your Opinion?

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by Kell634 October 11, 2009 7:39 AM EDT: We should all be reminded that voters should be able to handled this situation in 2010. Then you will see how much neck the RNC bit off. Can't trust them anymore than I can toss them. Hate mongos and liers. Going to be hard holding your seat in Congress for one more term. Good bye. You can always sell pencils in front of FOX.; Reply to this comment

by stuart-johns2 October 9, 2009 1:11 PM EDT

See. This is really an American honor. This is an affirmation of a new U.S. government that understands that we live in a globally connected world. It is an award that Obama deserves, although admittedly, others may deserve it more.

It is an award that proclaims freedom from the dark ages that our last administration dragged us and the entire world into. It is affirmation from the sane world which attests that the vision of freedoms, of human rights, of peace, of global cooperation in all matters is what Obama stands for and something the world wants Obama to succeed at.

The republicans who oppose this do so for obvious nefarious reasons. The republicans cannot see the entire picture through their antiquated biases and hate.

It's interesting that not one republican said on any of the posts today that they felt proud of America for recieving this award vicariously through their President. That is all too telling of their real motivatiions in objecting to this award.

The republicans will of course use this against Obama and once again prove that they will cut off their nose to spite their face. It is their award too but they won't care. Obama was associated with it and that's reason enough to say no to it.

This an award which reflects the hopes and aspirations of millions of people around the world. It's too bad the republicans can't join with us in those hopes.

Obama should be given the nobel peace prize just for having to deal with these un-american republicans.

That the republicans would side with the terrorists is not surprising. After all, they are the American Taliban. They are enemies of this state.

I have zero respect for the republican extremists, ZERO, ZILCH, NONE!

Reply to this comment


by chet-wolfe October 10, 2009 2:31 PM EDT: I have no respect for republican extremists.
I have no respect for liberal extremists.
I have no respect for stuart-johns2 (see line immediately preceding).

I have spent my entire professional career in service to this country. To call me "un-American" (note the correct capitalization) is an absolute joke. I would like to see you call the guys who wear the uniform of our Armed Forces "un-American"... they would give you the beat-down of your life.

It is really pathetic and sad that people can't voice their opinion that Obama hasn't done anything even remotely deserving of that award without having some foolish, Kool-aid drinking liberal calling them names. (Note here that I am not calling out all liberals, just the extremists and the ones who would rather "feel" about issues than to actually give some thought to them.)

Your post is idiotic at best. You are exactly the type of person who doesn't deserve the right to vote. Alas, our Constitution does not have any such provision to prevent fools from voicing their opinions or influencing the electoral process.
Oh, by the way, that document I referenced, the Constitution... perhaps you've heard of it??? you really should read it some day: http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution.html
then look at what your liberal lead government is doing. (Note: the Republicans are guilty of running roughshod over the Constitution too, just not nearly to the same extent)

stuart-johns2: I have zero respect for you, ZERO, ZILCH, NONE!

by hockeymom441 October 9, 2009 1:05 PM EDT

Is is absolutely dispicable that our Republican party would let politics go so far as to not congratulate OUR (include THEIRS!) President on such an honour.

I am disgusted w/ their jealous and senseless attacks, and am absolutely humiliated as an American by this response.

Reply to this comment


by cbs_tom October 9, 2009 1:32 PM EDT: "Is is absolutely dispicable that our Republican party would let politics go so far as to not congratulate OUR (include THEIRS!) President on such an honour.

I am disgusted w/ their jealous and senseless attacks, and am absolutely humiliated as an American by this response".
by hockeymom441 October 9, 2009 1:05 PM EDT

I believe that it is great for the President to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. I wonder though, if you felt the same about then Pres. Bush when he was Man of the Year on Time magazine? or how about Pres. Reagan's ability to help break-up the Soviet Union? Please don't pretend that the left did not constantly condemn and belittle Pres. Bush from day 1 in office.


by antoniof123 October 9, 2009 1:54 PM EDT: cbs_tom if you recall after 9-11 the country including Democrats and indi's rallied behind the President that should answer your question. Now another crises the economy and what did the Republicans do they tried to destroy and hoped he failed.

That says it all when the Republicans are questioning American's and calling us traitors remember the what they told us:

"You are either with us or with them"

That says it all!

So yes we did rally behind and were happy when the Presidents win at least the sain Americans are.


by Demoserver October 9, 2009 1:02 PM EDT: Wow, what a spokes person the GOP has in leadership. Sounds like sour grapes to me, what happened to
the adage "if you can't beat them, join them"? The GOP has become a party of whiners who lost the ball
they will really go to the bottom if Palin gets her way. I applaud the Swedish Nobel committee for seeing
what our president is trying to accomplish, against many odds from all corners. At least many of the
countries are being diplomatic which is more than I can say for the GOP boobs.; Reply to this comment


by whoami001 October 9, 2009 12:56 PM EDT: True, many Republicans and ultra-conservatives have contributed to destructive criticism and name calling. But the same is true of Democrats and ultra-liberals.

I, personally, find Steele's comments appropriate and not too dissimilar from comments from the left-leaning.

For example, look at Michael Russnow's article at The Huffington Post:

"I am generally a supporter of Barack Obama. I voted for him and campaigned in print for his election. However, as I turned on CNN early this morning and saw the news that he'd been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, I actually gasped in disbelief."

"I believe it is enormously premature for Obama to be getting this great tribute, which to a certain extent cheapens the prior recipients and the work all of them performed over so many years."

I'd also suggest listening to Bob Schieffer's comments at the link just above this blog: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5373530n

Lots of people think that Obama getting this honor is a bit odd - not just the hard core right.; Reply to this comment


by tonyatq October 9, 2009 12:36 PM EDT: They have so much in common with the terrorist. They both want the country to fail. They have not realized why they were booted out of office by the American people. We see your hate, we seen it when we America lose the Olympics. You hi fived and cheered now you are sad that we the American people though President Obama won this award. YOU PEOPLE ARE SAD.; Reply to this comment


by truth-b-toll October 9, 2009 12:33 PM EDT: TRUTH SHALL SET US FREE!
When americans can't support such an honor for our country, it is VERY revealing!; Reply to this comment

by eclecticman1 October 9, 2009 12:07 PM EDT

So true. The Republicans hate America if in so doing they can hate President Obama and the Democrat party. They are against anything that will help this country, if it helps the Democrats. How pathetic.

Reply to this comment


by chet-wolfe October 10, 2009 12:14 AM EDT: Not sure whose statement is more idiotic, the DNC's, or eclecticman1's.
As for your moronic assertion that Republicans hate, you must not have heard the Democrats over the last 8 years. I have NEVER heard such hatred and venom. Dems were actually wishing bodily harm. But while every Republican I know will vehemently disagree with the President's policies and the idolatry surrounding him, not one hates him (or Democrats in general) personally, nor do they wish them personal harm. They just don't want the country to be harmed.
The Democrats are truly the party of HATE. If you don't believe that, then you are also the party of delusion, or at the very least the party of short term memory loss.