The Day Obama Won The Nobel Peace Prize Compared To Today

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One year has passed since President Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

USA TODAY’s David Jackson and Catalina Camia take a look at what was happening then and now, for Obama and the United States.

October 2009		October 2010

49%	Job approval ratings	46%

10.1%	Unemployment rate	9.6%{+1}

About 67,000	U.S. troops in Afghanistan	About 95,000

About 117,000	U.S. troops in Iraq	About 48,000

Oct. 9, 2009: Met with with five Americans hurt by financial companies; talked about the financial regulation bill; held national security talks on Afghanistan and Pakistan.	His schedule	Oct. 8, 2010: Visits a Maryland business to discuss the economy and the latest unemployment figures; signs a bill to help people with disabilities access the Internet; holds meetings at the White House.

Passage of economic stimulus bill, confirmation for Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor	Accomplishments to date	Passage of health care law, new regulations for financial industry, confirmation for Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan

“It is unfortunate that the president’s star power has outshined tireless advocates who have made real achievements working towards peace and human rights. … President Obama won’t be receiving any awards from Americans for job creation, fiscal responsibility or backing up rhetoric with concrete action.” —Michael Steele, Republican National Committee chairman, about Obama winning the Nobel Prize	What Republicans say	“Go back 100 years and every time the president lost a Congress two years into the first term, he got re-elected. … So we’re going to have to work very smart, if the voters are fortunate enough to give us the majority … to avoid what history has generally provided a president, which is the opportunity to pivot off that new force in Congress and make themselves electable.” — Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, on Thursday