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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009
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Obama Backs US Bid to Host World Cup

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(Newser) – President Obama is jumping into a new kind of global politics. An ardent advocate of Chicago’s 2016 Olympic bid, Obama is now pushing hard to bring the World Cup to America in 2018 or 2022, the New York Times reports. Obama recently wrote personally to the president of soccer’s governing body, urging it to pick the US when it gathers in December 2010.

“As a child, I played soccer on a dirt road in Jakarta, and the game brought the children of my neighborhood together,” he wrote. Now the US is hoping to similarly bring the world together “in celebration of our common hopes and dreams.” Next year’s World Cup will be held in South Africa, and the 2014 tournament will be in Brazil, so FIFA is believed to be looking for a wealthy, comfortable nation for 2018.

In this file photo, then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich, then-Sen. Barack Obama, and still-Chicago mayor Richard Daley, watch a video celebrating Chicago's selection as a potential Olympic city.
In this file photo, then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich, then-Sen. Barack Obama, and still-Chicago mayor Richard Daley, watch a video celebrating Chicago's selection as a potential Olympic city.   (AP Photo)
US forward Jozy Altidore dribbles the ball against Trinidad and Tobago in the first half of a World Cup qualifying soccer match, April 1, 2009.
US forward Jozy Altidore dribbles the ball against Trinidad and Tobago in the first half of a World Cup qualifying soccer match, April 1, 2009.   (AP Photo)
Barack Obama plays with a ball while waiting to watch his daughter Malia's soccer game at a park in Chicago on Tuesday, July 1, 2008.
Barack Obama plays with a ball while waiting to watch his daughter Malia's soccer game at a park in Chicago on Tuesday, July 1, 2008.   (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Barack Obama sits on a camping chair as he waits to watch his daughter Malia's soccer game in Chicago, July 1, 2008.
Barack Obama sits on a camping chair as he waits to watch his daughter Malia's soccer game in Chicago, July 1, 2008.   (AP Photo)
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4 comments
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Mad
Apr 14, 09 1:33 PM CDT
2018? Dang, that's after Dec 21, 2012, when the world ends. Dernit Reply
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Mr.C
Apr 14, 09 5:47 PM CDT
you can have wealthy, comfortable lives in South Africa and Brazil you ass(umption maker0 Reply
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Mr.C
Apr 14, 09 5:48 PM CDT
you can have wealthy, comfortable lives in South Africa and Brazil you ass(umption maker) Reply
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Reader67848060
Apr 20, 09 4:45 AM CDT
"“As a child, I played soccer on a dirt road in Jakarta, and the game brought the children of my neighborhood together,” he wrote" ~then lets promote indonesia as the host mr.president :) go indonesia as wc2022 host! Reply
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