U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill's reaction to the announcement that President Barack Obama was been awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize.

McCaskill is an admitted admirer of Obama, and was an early and important supporter of his presidential campaign.

Her comments:

"Today is an interesting moment for America to reflect on how the world view of our country has changed because of this president.

"I think we need to realize that a part, maybe a key part, of our national security is that while countries around the world see our leadership as someone who is strong, confident, and not going to be pushed around, they also recognized Obama meant what he said in his inaugural address: 'we will extend our hand, if you will unclench your fist.'

"I think the rest of the world has breathed a sigh of relief that America has a leader that is not going to lead with a 2" x 4" but rather with the strength and confidence of diplomacy.

"We had to go it alone in Iraq for so long, but since he took office President Obama has spent a lot of time building the involvement of NATO and instructing Secretary Gates and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mullen to make sure that NATO is as involved in Afghanistan as we are.

"That's a huge change from the mentality of 'we don't need anybody else, we can go it alone.'

"I try very hard not to look back, but clearly there has been a change in leadership and a change in attitude.

"President Obama is notgoing to lose grip for a moment. No one is going to push us around. No one is going to be an aggressor to the United States of America. Our strength rests on our principles, the example we set for the world, and our alliances along with the excellence and strength of our military, rather than exclusively the latter."