TPMDC
Obama To Donate Nobel Prize Money To Multiple Charities, Process Still Developing
Christina Bellantoni | October 13, 2009, 3:45PM
President Barack Obama
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President Obama is still deciding what to do with the $1.4 million in Peace Prize money from the Nobel Committee.
The White House said Friday the money would be donated to charity, but has offered no guidance since.
TPMDC asked White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs during his briefing today about how Obama is making his decision since there are plenty to choose from and whichever one he chooses will be scrutinized.
Our exchange with Gibbs, after the jump.
QUESTION: Can you explain how the president is deciding what to do with the Nobel Prize money? Is he talking to different charities? He said he was going to give it to charity. Will that be more than one? Will the foundations...GIBBS: He mentioned specifically to me on Friday that the money would be donated to charity. There will be a process to evaluate that from his perspective. I assume it will be many different charities. But he has not told me or anybody else here the specifics of what that -- what those might be.
QUESTION: Is there a timeline? Does he want to have it in place by the time he goes to accept the award or before that?
GIBBS: I have not talked to him about that, but I can.
QUESTION (From Congress Daily reporter): I assume we can rule out ACORN as a recipient.
(LAUGHTER)
GIBBS: And a lifetime subscription to "Congress Daily."
Al Gore gave his portion of the winnings for the 2007 Peace Prize to the Alliance for Climate Protection. What charities should Obama consider?
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Lucieann
October 13, 2009 3:59 PM
Maybe Pres. Obama could put it towards the new health reform plan and we can have a public option that will be in effect before 2013! *smile*
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AhTrini1
October 13, 2009 4:54 PM in reply to Lucieann
asswipe
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Walter Mitty
October 13, 2009 4:00 PM
He should give it all to ACORN.
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Hussein Stemper
October 13, 2009 4:10 PM in reply to Walter Mitty
Or to Michael Steele's web development team...
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lousgirl84
October 13, 2009 6:41 PM in reply to Walter Mitty
That's a great idea. They need the money. That would drive the right wing even more batshit crazy if he did that. I think I will send him an email and suggest just that.
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cdub
October 13, 2009 4:27 PM
I'm sorry. But THIS IS YOUR QUESTION!!!? WHO THE FRACK CARES?
How about a question about something that actually affects our lives! You disappoint me.
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coolsocks
October 13, 2009 4:29 PM
What a great idea Lucieann! He should give it to the charity of America! :P
But, given the broader nature of the Nobel Prize, and his recognition of the award as one that is representative of people across the world who strive for good, I think he should give it to an organization that is equally as global in its reach - the Gates Foundation.
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serafinapekkala
October 13, 2009 4:52 PM in reply to coolsocks
The Gates Foundation is certainly global, but it's also already loaded.
I'd suggest dividing it between organizations that help displaced civilians
in Iraq and Afghanistan -- if the prize is for peace, start by helping
clean up your own (inherited) war.
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roufamatic
October 13, 2009 4:49 PM
GM.
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JimmyBobby
October 13, 2009 5:28 PM
TeachAmerica
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FreeRider
October 13, 2009 5:54 PM
It's his money. He should do with it whatever the fuck he wants!!
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lousgirl84
October 13, 2009 6:43 PM in reply to FreeRider
And he will do just that. I am delighted for him in every way,.
I love this President.
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jenesq
October 14, 2009 10:17 AM in reply to FreeRider
That's constructive! Obviously the President will donate the money to whatever charity or charities he chooses, but unlike some people, he is not averse to considering others' suggestions (not that he's taking suggestions from TPM posters; this is essentially an academic exercise), and, like anyone who donates money to charity, he will probably research his options first.
In any event, this discussion could provide some ideas to TPM readers and/or launch discussions of the President's priorities and personal world view, all of which are legitimate topics of discussion.
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FreeRider
October 14, 2009 11:59 AM in reply to jenesq
Oh, please! Obama is the only president who everybody wants to dictate everything he does even in his private life. People had to weigh in on where he vacationed, how he got his dog, where he goes to church, which school his kids attend, whether his clothes are America made.
It's ridiculous and insulting. He's not a little boy or a puppet, despite the constant efforts to make him one.
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jenesq
October 14, 2009 1:45 PM in reply to FreeRider
Are you serious? Do you know any presidential history? Many presidents, particularly those with whom the public had a special admiration (such as JFK) had people hanging on every detail of their private lives. Obama should, and probably does, consider it a compliment when people weigh in on what kind of dog he should get--because they care. Of course there are haters too, but that's a given for any president. And at least we haven't been treated to the details of Obama's sex life a la the Starr Report! So take a Valium for godsake.
On the other hand, the Nobel Peace Prize is hardly private.
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FreeRider
October 14, 2009 3:25 PM in reply to jenesq
I probably know more about presidential history than you have forgotten.
It's one thing to FOLLOW a president's life; quite another to try and dictate it. JFK was in the former category, Obama is in the latter.
They got criticism because Bo didn't come from a shelter. Clinton, Bush, Nixon, LBJ didn't have shelter dogs either and no one said a word. He was criticized for going to MV on vacation because "we are in hard times." There were columns written about how he should have a staycation or go to a park or Myrtle Beach.
Now, the whole country thinks they should dictate what he does with his Nobel Prize money.
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TPMReaderHG
October 13, 2009 6:05 PM
How about splitting it between Amnesty International and Doctors Without Borders? If he wants to keep it domestic, Habitat for Humanity.
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lousgirl84
October 13, 2009 6:42 PM
There is also Southern Poverty Law Center - lots of great animal charities who really really need the help.
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Jim H
October 13, 2009 6:55 PM
Planned Parenthood
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cat
October 13, 2009 8:15 PM
Southern Poverty Law Center is an excellent idea. They are monitoring all the groups who want to assasinate him. He might save his own life, but I guess some would consider that selfish of him.
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VivaAmerica!
October 13, 2009 9:31 PM
Food banks across the country. In fact purchase the food and have it delivered by truck.
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nova voter
October 14, 2009 6:34 AM
Human Rights Campaign Foundation
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jenesq
October 14, 2009 10:11 AM
I think he should donate the money (or a large portion of it) to fellow Nobel Peace Prize nominee Greg Mortenson's Central Asia Institute, which will go a long way toward achieving President Obama's objectives in Afghanistan and Pakistan by promoting peace through education. It's really a win-win on a number of levels.
(Of course, I was basically flamed off DKos last week for making that suggestion, because how dare anyone tell the President what to do with his money? @@)
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