Six in 10 Americans believe that President Obama did not deserve to win the Nobel Peace Prize, according to a Gallup poll released this afternoon.

The country is split evenly, 46 percent “glad” and an equal share not, that he was awarded the prize. Partisanship, of course, colors opinions. Fully 76 percent of Democrats are glad he won; 76 percent of Republicans are “not glad.” And more independents agree with Republicans. By a margin of 52 to 36 percent, independents are displeased that the president was awarded the high honor.

They say Americans are can-do people. But "can" and "do" are not one and the same. Americans seem to understandably believe that he has not "done" it, at least not yet. That he can, sure. But Americans believe, sometimes desperately, in meritocracy. And most Americans don't believe the president merits this honor.

That only 46 percent are "glad" he won, well, that just cannot be good for this president. When our family, friends even, win an honor that they don't deserve, we are still happy for them. It's a bad sign for Obama that nearly half the public, and a majority of independents, are "not glad" he won the Nobel Peace Prize.

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