Nobel Peace Prize guessing game begins

[babylonsister]

Nobel Peace Prize guessing game begins


October 6, 2007 - 12:19PM
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Al Gore is a front-runner for the Nobel Peace Prize if you believe some experts.

Problem is, they're only guessing.

The coveted Nobel awards to be announced next week cover the range of human endeavour, from peacemaking to scientific discovery, yet share a tradition of mystery, deep secrecy and wild speculation about who might win.

"I've been surprised almost every time," key Nobel watcher Stein Toennesson, director of the International Peace Research Institute said.

Toennesson's picks strongly influence media coverage and odds set by bookmakers, even though he has no inside information.

Each year he bravely publishes a widely cited, well-reasoned, well-founded and - he admits - usually wrong set of surmises.

This year, with world attention fixed on global warming, Toennesson said giving a joint prize to former US Vice President Gore and Canadian Inuit environmental activist Sheila Watt-Cloutier could be an appealing choice for the prize committee.

"It would have to do with climate change and it would be a prize that included both a man and a woman," he said.

more...

http://www.theage.com.au/news/World/Nobel-Peace-Prize-guessing-game-begins/2007/10/06/1191091406627.html

[FARAFIELD]

1. I dont see how he can win

Not that he isnt deserving if he continues his work, but it took Pres. Carter Many years of work to get one, and Personally as someone that follows the Nobel, they havent given it to Bob Geldof or Bono, both of which deserve it more that Al. If he keeps going he will get it one day. And by the way you dont WIN the Nobel, its awarded. (I.E. the Medal of Honor in the Military)

[tomreedtoon]

2. So...who else besides Gore is in the running?

Literally, I don't know. I could imagine Cindy Sheehan being up for it, but she has had less time than Gore. So who's Gore's competition?

[babylonsister]

3. I just googled this:

:shrug: So how do we know about Gore?

http://nobelprize.org/nomination/peace/

Nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize

Nomination to the Nobel Peace Prize is by invitation only. The Nobel Committee sends confidential forms to persons who are competent and qualified to nominate. The names of the nominees and other information about the nominations cannot be revealed until 50 years later.

[TheDoorbellRang]

4. I've been wondering this myself

If the nominees are kept secret, how can anyone even say that Gore is in the running? Sure, I'd love to see him get the award, but now I'm wondering if all the hype about him being in the running for the Nobel is just propaganda to make him look like a "looser" if he doesn't get it. (Color me cynical.)



edited for spelling

[Crabby Appleton]

5. The nominator can tell who they have nominated if they wish to. nt

[TheDoorbellRang]

6. So which nominator said Gore was in the running?

So far I've only seen speculation from those not included in the nomination process. And as the previous post said:"The names of the nominees and other information about the nominations cannot be revealed until 50 years later."

Believe me, I would be the first to cheer if Gore gets the Nobel -- he is my first choice for president -- but I'm just wondering where the source for his position as nominee has come from.

[suffragette]

7. Two Norwegian politicians said they nominated Gore and Sheila Watt-Cloutier

There have been quite a few articles about it. Even with the rule about confidentiality, people do talk about who they have nominated. I know someone who knows an author who was nominated awhile back. As here, word got out, though it wasn't publicized as much.

Here are some links:
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/02/01/europe/EU-GEN-Norway-Nobel-Gore.php

http://www.canada.com/topics/news/story.html?id=8cf7621e-7241-4670-b688-92b4954d2287&k=69246
This is an interesting one about Sheila Watt-Cloutier. She wants to meet Gore. It would be great if they are both awarded and meet.

[babylonsister]

8. Thanks for those links, and the info. nt