QUOTE OF THE DAY…. The State Department reflects on the significance of President Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize.

“Certainly from our standpoint, this gives us a sense of momentum — when the United States has accolades tossed its way, rather than shoes.”

That’s the take of Hillary Clinton’s State Department on President Obama being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, according to her spokesman, Assistant Secretary PJ Crowley.

Crowley added, “There is an opportunity here. The tone has changed — but obviously we recognize that, while the tone in the world has changed, the challenges remain. They are very significant.”

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Follow Steve on Twitter @stevebenen. Steve Benen is a producer at MSNBC's The Rachel Maddow Show. He was the principal contributor to the Washington Monthly's Political Animal blog from August 2008 until January 2012.