CRICKETS

GOP Dials Down Obama Criticism

Surprise Nobel win puts Republicans in tough spot.

Despite attacks from RNC Chairman Michael Steele and pundit Rush Limbaugh that were criticized as anti-American, Republicans have remained eerily silent since Obama's surprise Nobel Peace Prize win. "There will be an outcry from those on the right who will say that Obama's nomination, made two weeks into his presidency, is impossible to justify, but I think such an outcry will sound like right-wing whining," former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee predicted Friday morning. Huckabee said the best response was to let those on the left explain why the president deserved the award. Minn Gov. Tim Pawlenty said on his weekly radio address that "anytime someone wins a Nobel Prize, I think it's an appropriate response to say congratulations." Radio silence emanated from rumored 2012 presidential hopefuls Mitt Romney, Bobby Jindal, and Sarah Palin. Even the ever-vocal Newt Gingrich declined comment, and President George W. Bush has also stayed silent. Sen. John McCain led the pack for graciousness, saying the country is "proud" of the president. Republicans might be plotting a counterattack over the long weekend, Talking Points Memo reports, but most recognize they're in a tough spot of not wanting to seem anti-American in their critique of the president's inexperience.