Even many leftists were surprised, then disappointed if not upset by the Nobel award this year (which slighted such alternative candidates as the Chinese dissidents, for example). Defense of the award and attacks upon the criticism are fringist as well as self-discrediting and -lowering (such as the cartoon on this thread). The prize award was an even bigger joke (often a sick, and sickening, joke) than usual this year (when not making some leftists angry, instead). At least Obama handled this surprise well.