Analysis: He won the Nobel, but for what?

This Nobel Prize shows how Europe is really smitten with Obama. Hey, that's not so bad, is it? Being liked by Europe is not a sign of failure, contrary to the propaganda of the past 30 years. Being liked helps you get what you want, which for Obama should mean, helping America to get what it wants.

We Americans underestimate the huge symbolic value of Obama's election. Never in my lifetime has the election of a U.S. president led to foreigners on at least 3 continents organizing spontaneous parties and dancing in the streets. If you get past most of the U.S. media noise from the campaign, which was important only to Americans, you understand that Obama is a transformational figure in the world's eyes. He is also living, breathing proof of the American Dream. Maybe non-Americans see something we don't in Obama, or something that isn't there, but the fact remains: the world is fascinated with him. We shouldn't fight it, we should enjoy it! It's OK to be liked, really it is ;-) And what a giant relief after 8 dark years!

In Paris celebrations spill onto the streets. (AFP)

Around the globe supporters of Barack Obama celebrate as news filters through.

Residents of Kogello, the village in Kenya where Obama's father was born, dance during the night.

Analysis: He won, but for what?

By Jennifer Loven

October 9, 2009 AP

URL: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091009/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_obama_nobel_analysis_1