Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite says President Barack Obama should seek congressional approval before accepting the Nobel Prize.
"This award is a testament to America’s continuing importance as a broker of peace and a promoter of
democracy," the Florida Republican said in a press release. "With every great honor, however, comes great responsibility, not the least of which is the President’s constitutional responsibility to receive the consent of Congress before formally accepting this award."
She says the Constitution "clearly states" that "no person holding any office of profit or trust under them, shall, without the consent of Congress, accept of any present, emolument, office, or title, of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state."
Obama is to pick up the prize Dec. 10 in Oslo, Norway. Here's the letter she wrote to Obama..
There is precedent as Obama is not the first POTUS to be so honored. Seems if it was OK in the past then this is just more anti-Obama backlash from those who seek to assure his failure.
Posted by: Fletcher | October 28, 2009 at 10:54 AM
The Nobel Peace Prize is an "AWARD."
The Nobel for peace IS NOT A "present" like a "birthday gift or wedding present."
It is NOT an "office" of any sort.
It does NOT bequeath a "Title" (as in royalty. It does not mean "winner of")
In addition the restriction applies to these items when given by "foreign governments, agents and rulers."
The Nobel Committee does NOT work for, NOR is it part of the Norwegian government.
Nothing in this constitutional clause here applies to or forbids accepting the Nobel by the US President.
Legally the clause is precise and clear to the day it was written, and we still do know what they meant.
Nothing points out how ridiculous some leaders of the Extreme Right Wing are more than when they try to "interpret" legal clauses to favor their desired POV.
Posted by: jonathanseer | October 28, 2009 at 03:17 AM