The Nobel Committee certainly had its reasons — many of which probably will never become public — for awarding President Obama the Nobel Peace Prize. But what was the hurry? The reality is that Mr. Obama might indeed make a difference when it comes to world peace. But after less than a year in office, he certainly has not yet done so.

Most Americans, even the president’s ardent supporters, have found little reason to feel like the prize was deserved — yet. We hope that Mr. Obama indeed proves worthy of the Peace Prize. But the committee erred in awarding it so early in the president’s term.