Good timing?

Just as Barack Obama wins the Nobel Peace Prize, the New Statesman pops through my door with a cover story comparing him to George W Bush. Is that good or bad timing?

According to the BBC:

Mr Obama's spokesman said the president was "humbled" to have won the prize. He said he woke Mr Obama up when he called with the news early on Friday.

I can see why Obama would want to make it clear that he wasn't waiting up to see if he won, but why do people always say "humbled" these days. Why can't they just say "honoured".