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Olympics Defeat: How Much Does It Hurt Obama?

By Caroline Miller,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 3, 2009 8:44 AM CDT

(Newser) – It's a big disappointment for Chicago, but how big a hit was yesterday's Olympic Committee put-down of the US's 2016 bid for the president, who stuck his neck out to go to bat for it? Of course Rush Limbaugh said it was huge, the "worst day" of Obama's presidency, and Obama had "wasted his country's time, and his prestige." Democrats, even some who advised against the trip, said it was "a stumble, not a fall," and the president should get points for trying.

 

Olympics watchers said the first-round upset showed ignorance of Olympic Committee politics on the part of the Chicago backers, the administration, or both, Politico reports. White House officials said the president would never have made the trip if he hadn't been assured by Chicago Mayor Richard Daley that the bid was within striking distance. But GOP analysts urged restraint in piling on the president: Glee over this failure could come off as anti-American.

U.S. President Barack Obama is seen on a video screen during the USOC's pitch for Chicago to host the 2016 Summer Olympics, Friday, Oct. 2, 2009, at the 121st International Olympic Committee Session in Copenhagen, Denmark.
U.S. President Barack Obama is seen on a video screen during the USOC's pitch for Chicago to host the 2016 Summer Olympics, Friday, Oct. 2, 2009, at the 121st International Olympic Committee Session in...   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
President Barack Obama gestures as he speaks in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Friday, Oct. 2, 2009, about his trip to Copenhagen, Denmark, and his attempt to help Chicago win the 2016 Olympics bid.
President Barack Obama gestures as he speaks in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Friday, Oct. 2, 2009, about his trip to Copenhagen, Denmark, and his attempt to help Chicago win the 2016...   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Standing in front of a backdrop of the Chicago skyline, television talk show host Oprah Winfrey speaks before introducing U.S. first lady Michelle Obama at a dinner in support Chicago hosting the 2016 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009, in Copenhagen. Michelle Obama has joined the Chicago 2016 bid...
Standing in front of a backdrop of the Chicago skyline, television talk show host Oprah Winfrey speaks before introducing U.S. first lady Michelle Obama at a dinner in support Chicago hosting the 2016...   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, Pool)
U.S. President Barack Obama, flanked by first lady Michelle Obama, and Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, gestures during the USOC's pitch for Chicago to host the 2016 Summer Olympics, Friday, Oct. 2, 2009, at the 121st International Olympic Committee Session in Copenhagen, Denmark.
U.S. President Barack Obama, flanked by first lady Michelle Obama, and Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, gestures during the USOC's pitch for Chicago to host the 2016 Summer Olympics, Friday, Oct. 2, 2009,...   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 27 comments
Hip
Oct 5, 2009 12:37 PM CDT
Hey stopthebraincells, my question is why do you live in that country? A disaster when the GOP rules (at least for the past 8 years) and you obviously hate it when the DEMS are in. Leave!
Hip
Oct 5, 2009 12:34 PM CDT
Yet another post from planet Pluto...
cornelison
Oct 5, 2009 5:17 AM CDT
The obsession with "defeat" bypasses the spirit of competition. I stopped watching most of the Olympics for the past 25 yrs. The obsession with winning medals has taken the spotlight away from the majority of competitors. You don't hear any of them say, "I'm not going because I might not win a medal."

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