Robert Gibbs would not share much about President Obama's reaction this morning to the news he won the Nobel Peace Prize, other than to say he was surprised. He also said he was unaware of whether there was any consideration given to refusing the award, adding that the president does plan to travel to Oslo to accept it.

Asked whether, in recognition of some of the reaction to the award, the White House was intentionally downplaying any internal celebration, Gibbs said the staff is obviously "enormously proud of the work we're trying to do every day."

"He hopes that what comes of this is galvanized action on behalf of the entire world to make good on the ideas and the ideals that we've talked about," Gibbs said. "I think that's important going forward, and I think we'll continue to use avenues as a chance to do that."

He would not react to the partisan response of some, and urged pundits who think this honor will worsen the partisan divide to spend some time outside of the Washington Beltway.

"It's a good thing. It's an important thing. I don't think it's a partisan thing," he said.