George Will: Olympics pitch all about Obama's‎

George Will: Olympics pitch all about Obamas‎

In the Niagara of words spoken and written about the Obamas' trip to Copenhagen, too few have been devoted to the words they spoke there. Their separate speeches to the International Olympic Committee were so dreadful, and in such a characteristic way, that they might be symptomatic of something that has serious implications for American governance.

Both Obamas gave heartfelt speeches about … themselves.

In the 41 sentences of her remarks, Michelle Obama used some form of the personal pronouns “I” or “me” 44 times. Her husband was, comparatively, a shrinking violet, using those pronouns only 26 times in 48 sentences.

Still, 70 times in 89 sentences was sufficient to convey the message that somehow their fascinating selves were what made, or should have made, Chicago's case compelling.

Presidents often come to be characterized by particular adjectives: “honest” Abe Lincoln, “Grover the Good” Cleveland, “energetic” Theodore Roosevelt, “idealistic” Woodrow Wilson, “Silent Cal” Coolidge, “confident” FDR, “likable” Ike Eisenhower. Less happily, there were “Tricky Dick” Nixon and “Slick Willie” Clinton. Unhappy will be a president whose defining adjective is “vain.”

Commentary: Obama's mistakes are a warning sign

From the front page of CNN:

During the past few months, two events have revealed a side of President Obama that we knew little about. First came his remark in July when he said at a press conference that the police who arrested Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates had acted "stupidly."

The unrehearsed remark triggered controversy right at a time when Democrats needed to focus public attention on health care.

And last week, at a climactic moment for the health care debate in the Senate, Obama suddenly went to make a personal pitch for holding the 2016 Summer Olympics in Chicago, Illinois.

...

While the comment about the Cambridge police was more understandable as a slip-up that will happen in the lifecycle of a presidency, the Olympics decision is more troubling. This was a decision vetted by his advisers and clearly thought through by the president himself. The decision caused an embarrassing situation and wasted precious media time, not on health care, but on defending his actions.

...

In the end, two issues will shape this presidency much more than the Olympics: the outcome of the health care debate and the decision over whether to send troops to Afghanistan.

Nonetheless, the incident should serve as a warning to the president and his staff. This is the kind of action they should not repeat.

Everyone believe it would come down to Chicago and Rio...

... No one expected this obviously...

... Chicago eliminate in the 1st round...

... Certainly not what was expected...

... the utmost confidence that the bid would prevail...

... confident that Obama would push Chicago over the edge...

And that is why Obama went to Copenhagen... his advisers told him there was a good chance Chicago would win the bid and Barack wanted to be the one to take credit. E G O

It would have been a hugely popularity boost for a President who's seem his numbers dwindle over the summer.

Someone oversold the probability that Chicago would win and Barack bought it and he took the risk.

Let's face it, there is no way he would have gone if he thought there was a poor chance of Chicago getting the bid. Would he? Would he have gone if it was in NYC? or Dallas?

File this under egomania and cronyism.

Don't take my word for it... from FT

From the Financial Times:

FT: More immediately, the rejection is likely to intensify questions about Mr Obama’s allegedly vaunting self-belief. Although Mr Obama spent only a few hours in the Danish capital, and although other leaders were there to bat on behalf of their cities, Barack and Michelle Obama couched their pitches in biographical terms. By personalising Chicago’s appeal, Mr Obama put his own reputation on the line.

“Nearly one year ago, on a clear November night, people from every corner of the world gathered in the city of Chicago . . . to watch the results of the US presidential election,” Mr Obama told the Olympic committee. “Their interest wasn’t about me as an individual . . . Rather, it was rooted in the belief that America’s experiment in democracy still speaks to a set of universal aspirations and ideals . . . And so I urge you to choose Chicago!”

Welcome to Bizzaro World... "It wasn't about me... but I urge you to choose Chicago!" ... is he that much of an egomaniac??

It was totally about you... see next post.

Why losing the Olympics matter

First of all, Barack made this plea personal:

"I would make the case in Copenhagen personally, if I weren't so firmly committed to making -- making real the promise of quality, affordable health care for every American. But the good news is I'm sending a more compelling superstar to represent the city and country we love, and that is our First Lady, Michelle Obama.... I share the conviction that bringing the Games to the United States ... I support this bid... I promise you this: Chicago will make America proud, and America will make the world proud"

Secondly, he lied:

"Our nation, from the local to the national level, is committed to the success of these Games. The Chicago City Council unanimously supports this bid. Both Houses of the United States Congress support this bid. I support this bid.... the United States supports this bid"

Thirdly, he begged:

"We want these Games. We want them. We want to host these Games. "

He pleaded:

"And, I promise you, we are fired up about this."

Text of his address

More Chicagoans don't want this than do, the city is completely divided on the idea not to mention the funding. And that was a major reason the bid was rejected. The IOC wanted a 100% public funding guarantee, Chicago was split on that.

He personalized this plea as if the IOC and the World should award this to Chicago merely because Barack Obama a) asked and b) is from there. Can we say E-G-O?? As if there are not more substantive criteria the IOC was using to award these games. Chicago is plagued with violence and protest right now and have not provided accurate planning and funding that warrants winning these games. Barack merely asking, neh begging, does not change this.

He was begging, its embarrassing to make a personal impassioned plea and then lose. This is no different (though much more minor) than what he is trying to do at the UN and in White House ... he thinks that his holy presence will sway support. ... it won't.

Sadly, when he fails like this we instantly here cries of RACISM and BUSH. Really?? Get over it, get over Obama.

From the Weekly Standard:

"We know the world loves Obama. What the action by the International Olympic Committee demonstrates is that being loved isn’t the same as being influential or taken seriously or respected or feared -- the traits of many of Obama’s predecessors in the presidency."

... i think that sums it up well.

He is a joke.

The IOC doesn't take him seriously. Iran doesn' take him seriously. Russia is stepping around him. China is stepping over him. Hugo Chavez and Castro laugh at him... and dictators praise him in public (which is the ultimate insult because they are really screwing him behind his back)

That's racist! The International Olympic Committee is racist!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olympic_games/8282518.stm

Rio de Janeiro and Madrid are vying to be the host of the 2016 Olympic Games, after Chicago and Tokyo were eliminated by the International Olympic Committee.

Chicago's early exit was a surprise, with bookmakers making them favourites.

Oh snap! God damn racists!

UPDATE: PAPER: Obama's Olympic failure will only add to doubts about his presidency...

UNEMPLOYMENT 9.8%: WORST SINCE JUNE 1983 ... -263,000 LOST JOBS...

... maybe Barack should be more focused on solving problems rather than cultivating his ego in Europe.