President Obama is heading for Copenhagen to personally lobby on Chicago's behalf to host the 2016 Olympic games. This is rousing a great deal of criticism from among his customary critics.
Not from me, though. I got no problems with it.
There are hints that it's a done deal -- that Obama's been told that if he shows up and makes the case, the Windy City will bag the games.
I just don't see the downside here.
Obama isn't really that busy right now. He's left the real work on his domestic agenda up to the Democratic leadership in Congress, limiting his involvement to "the big picture" and making public speeches that are infamously lacking in details. Those are left up to Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi to manage.
On foreign policy, he's got his special envoys running the most exciting places, and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to handle the boring rest of the world. And his overarching philosophy -- "piss off our friends and pander to our enemies" lends itself quite nicely to allowing things to just rest on "cruise control" that doesn't require much hands-on attention.
And he's blowing off his chosen commanders in Afghanistan, who have had their urgent request for more troops placed on the back burner for the foreseeable future.
So, with his plate pretty clear, why shouldn't Obama take a day or two to swing by Denmark and do a little favor for his old cronies buddies in Chi-Town?
After all, if he pulls it off, what has he done? He's brought the Olympics to Chicago, home of one of the most corrupt political machines in the nation. (Calm down, New Jersey and Louisiana -- I said "one of." I'm not playing favorites.) And the Olympics have proven, time and again, to be ultimately devastating to the economy of the host city. Hell, they nearly destroyed Salt Lake City before they even started, and it was only Mitt Romney's management that saved those games.
Chicago wants to commit economic suicide by hosting the games? More power to 'em. And Obama wants to help them shove the gun barrel in their mouth? Stand back and give the man some room.
Because while he's over there sucking up to Europeans, he (and his teleprompter) ain't back here causing more problems for the nation.
Say, is there any way we could get the Danes to play hard to get for a week or two?
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Comments (12)
Also on the positive side o... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Peter F. | September 30, 2009 1:12 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Also on the positive side of the ledger, Steve Bartman might be able to attend a Chicago-area sporting event again. Though I'm not sure rhythmic gymnastics counts as a "sport"...
1. Posted by Peter F. | September 30, 2009 1:12 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on September 30, 2009 13:12
2. Posted by GarandFan | September 30, 2009 1:39 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
"Say, is there any way we could get the Danes to play hard to get for a week or two?"
Go for broke. How about 3 years, 4 months?
2. Posted by GarandFan | September 30, 2009 1:39 PM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on September 30, 2009 13:39
3. Posted by jim m | September 30, 2009 2:02 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
"piss off our friends and pander to our enemies" -The Obama Doctrine
Actually, pissing off our friends is relatively safe as long as you don't push them into the other camp entirely. Unfortunately, pandering to one's enemies does little more than ensure their increasing aggression.
3. Posted by jim m | September 30, 2009 2:02 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on September 30, 2009 14:02
4. Posted by JustRuss | September 30, 2009 3:34 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Besides the corruption issue, all that "slum" land and low income housing that would be demolished to make the facilities, being purchased from Obama's political cronies.
I agree, As long as the Fed doesn't fund the effort and only Illinois Tax Money is used then I am fine with it. After all, as long as he is off doing something else, he isn't here with his foot on the accelerator as we make our way toward that cliff.
4. Posted by JustRuss | September 30, 2009 3:34 PM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on September 30, 2009 15:34
5. Posted by Jake | September 30, 2009 3:57 PM | Score: -3 (3 votes cast)
I'm curious if you know anything about the economic impact the Olympics has on host countries. I assume you don't understand that one trip to Copehagen to solidify the US as an Olympic host has a pretty high ROI.
Don't let that stop you from bashing Obama though.
5. Posted by Jake | September 30, 2009 3:57 PM |
Score: -3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on September 30, 2009 15:57
6. Posted by Annoying Old Guy
| September 30, 2009 4:13 PM | Score: 3 (5 votes cast)
From what I can tell, the LA Olympics were the last time the Games were of net economic benefit. They've been increasingly big money losers ever since.
6. Posted by Annoying Old Guy
| September 30, 2009 4:13 PM |
Score: 3 (5 votes cast)
Posted on September 30, 2009 16:13
7. Posted by Marc | September 30, 2009 6:05 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
My take? Not overly concerned with |His trip, many heads of State do the same although it's a first for a U.S. pres.
I do have a heartache over Michelle going, specifically in a separate plane ahead of The One, it a friggin' waste of taxpayer cash.
Secondly it's a complete waste of time in this sense.
The actual vote on the "lucky" city is Friday, all the prerequisites have already been looked at like financing, location compatibility etc... etc.
99 percent of what it takes to make the decision has already been looked at, obama speech means next to nothing, zero, nadda.
My bet, Rio gets it, as the first SA country/city gets the bid
7. Posted by Marc | September 30, 2009 6:05 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on September 30, 2009 18:05
8. Posted by retired military | September 30, 2009 7:48 PM | Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Dateline Summer 2012
Congress announces $1 trillion Olympic bailout for Chicago.
8. Posted by retired military | September 30, 2009 7:48 PM |
Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Posted on September 30, 2009 19:48
9. Posted by forexthinker.com | September 30, 2009 8:41 PM | Score: -3 (3 votes cast)
Chicago will not be disappointed a lot if the Olympics goes somewhere else in 2016. It is one of the greatest cities in the World and will always have a good chance at hosting the Olympics. Chicago made dreams come true for many.
9. Posted by forexthinker.com | September 30, 2009 8:41 PM |
Score: -3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on September 30, 2009 20:41
10. Posted by codekeyguy | September 30, 2009 8:45 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
"Chicago made dreams come true for many".
This is a straight line made in heaven!!!!!!!
10. Posted by codekeyguy | September 30, 2009 8:45 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on September 30, 2009 20:45
11. Posted by Al Capone | September 30, 2009 10:15 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
"Chicago made dreams come true for many".
YOu bet your sweet ass, baby.
11. Posted by Al Capone | September 30, 2009 10:15 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on September 30, 2009 22:15
12. Posted by chris brown | October 1, 2009 10:28 AM | Score: -2 (2 votes cast)
I love the obama's I think there doing a great job and they should keep up the good work haters step back.
12. Posted by chris brown | October 1, 2009 10:28 AM |
Score: -2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on October 1, 2009 10:28