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Mon Sep 28, 2009 7:19 am EDT

Breaking: Obama reverses course, says he will attend IOC vote

By Chris Chase

The most famous Chicagoan in the world will be lending his full support for the city's Olympic bid after all. In a last-minute reversal, Barack Obama reportedly will attend the IOC's bid meeting on Friday to give a boost to his adopted city's pursuit of the 2016 Olympics.

Obama had said for weeks that he would not make the trip to Denmark, citing his pursuit of health care reform as the main reason. His wife, Michelle, was supposed to go in his stead. But this morning on The Today Show, Savannah Guthrie reported that aides close to the president said said he will make the trek to Copenhagen to attend the meeting on Friday in an attempt to win support for Chicago'spursuit of the Games.

Each of the four bid cities will make a 70-minute presentation to IOC members who will vote on the site later that day. Obama's presence at the meeting is thought to have the potential to sway a few votes.

This late announcement is a great bit of showmanship for Obama and the Chicago bid. One one hand, Obama is merely keeping up with the Joneses. All the other leaders of potential host countries had long ago announced their plans to attend the meeting. But the flair with which Obama announced his intentions -- generating rampant speculation about his travel plans, making headlines this morning by announcing his decision to go -- is a major publicity coup for Chicago's bid.

It's a deft political maneuver made at the perfect time. Because Chicago is considered one of the favorites to land the Games, Obama's decision could sway the one or two votes necessary to push the Olympics in the city's favor. All it may take is one voter, changing his or her mind on Friday because they were pleased to see the president. 

Politically though there is still the possibility of political backfire. What if Obama makes the trip and Chicago still loses out to Rio de Janeiro or Madrid? And what if people in the city or country don't want the Games to come back to America. Does this provide more ammunition for critics?

Critics never need ammunition, they have plenty of it as is. Supporting the Olympics is about as politically neutral as it gets. Red state or blue state, people love the Games and, in general, Chicago getting the '16 Olympics would be a popular move. Now, with Barack Obama attending the IOC's vote, the chances of the Games coming back to the United States are better than ever.

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  1. Tony
    1. Posted by Tony Mon Sep 28, 2009 9:42 am EDT

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    longer school days and he wants to pitch the 2016 olympics????? who will participate when the futre athletes are sitting in a classroom rather than training? just another lump of crap piled on top of a heap of crap from this president.
  2. JWF
    2. Posted by JWF Mon Sep 28, 2009 9:50 am EDT

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    Maybe this moron ought to concentrate on actually doing his job.
  3. Sujoy
    3. Posted by Sujoy Mon Sep 28, 2009 9:55 am EDT

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    Seriously?! He doesn't have more pressing concerns?! Is he bored? Does he need more work? Afghanistan and Iran isn't too much? He needs to use tax-payer money to fly Air Force One and the security detail to freakin' Denmark? He physically needs to be there. Really?
    Nobody gives a damn about the Olympics anymore. It was cool in the 70s and 80s when it was about the U.S. vs Russia. Now it's boring.
    This is all about one thing: Obama getting some money for his corrupt Chicago cronies. That city is as filthy and corrupt as they come.
  4. Gentleman Len
    4. Posted by Gentleman Len Mon Sep 28, 2009 9:59 am EDT

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    Most (many) of Mr. Obama's critics use adjectives such as stupid, idiot, moron, liar, thief, deceiver, traitor...and numerous others...but I don't believe he is stupid.
    He is clever, scheming and uses his criminal mind to pursue an agenda he was 'hand picked' to do...as the President of the U.S.
    However, this unorthodox support of Chicago as the site of the 2016 Olympics is pure PERSONAL theater...and is based, 100%, in local Chicago cronyism, payback and graft...'Chicago style'!
    This has 'ACORN' written all over it...and I am 'one' American who opposes this man...his agenda and the 2016 Olympics...anywhere near Chicago!
  5. William O R
    5. Posted by William O R Mon Sep 28, 2009 10:01 am EDT

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    Nice to see our presidents priorities in check. This is for his jerk-off buddies at the Chicago machine in 2016. Maybe he should worry more about stimulating job growth all over the U.S. in the next 2-3 years.
    The good thing is he'll be out of the country on Friday (maybe the market will go up).
    How's that hope & change working out for ya?
  6. Michelle
    6. Posted by Michelle Mon Sep 28, 2009 10:03 am EDT

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    Nero fiddles away.
  7. William O R
    7. Posted by William O R Mon Sep 28, 2009 10:03 am EDT

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    Hey Gentleman Len...count me in:
    "I am 'one' American who opposes this man...his agenda and the 2016 Olympics...anywhere near Chicago!"
  8. Bobby D
    8. Posted by Bobby D Mon Sep 28, 2009 10:04 am EDT

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    Actually this is part of his job. The amount of revenue the Olympics will bring to the USA will be tremendous. Add to that the construction of Olympic venues will put people to work. The leaders of the other 3 countries in the running for the Olympics will be there as well. This is about pride in being an American - bring the Olympics to the USA - something to feel good about. I guess it's take a moron not to like this idea.
  9. Sujoy
    9. Posted by Sujoy Mon Sep 28, 2009 10:05 am EDT

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    "I am 'one' American who opposes this man...his agenda and the 2016 Olympics...anywhere near Chicago!"
  10. Corey C
    10. Posted by Corey C Mon Sep 28, 2009 10:07 am EDT

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    President George W. Bush is the first American President to leave the USA to attend the Olympic Games. During this time America was fighting 2 wars and in the middle of a recession. It was not big news then and this is not news either....
  11. Corey C
    11. Posted by Corey C Mon Sep 28, 2009 10:08 am EDT

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    President George W. Bush is the first American President to leave the USA to attend the Olympic Games. During this time America was fighting 2 wars and in the middle of a recession. It was not big news then and this is not news either....
  12. Sujoy
    12. Posted by Sujoy Mon Sep 28, 2009 10:09 am EDT

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    Speaking of morons who can't conjugate correctly: "I guess it's take a moron not to like this idea."
    BTW....It'll bring revenue to Chicago and the state of Illinois. And it'll be 7 years from now. Obama doesn't physically need to fly to Copenhagen to lobby for something as trivial as the Summer Olympics. He could send his wife. Heck, he could send Bill Clinton. It's they symbolism of the thing: instead of worrying about Ahmedinihad firing short-range and mid-range rockets, instead of worrying about a pro-market health reform bill, instead of concerning himself with anything of importance, he's off to Copenhagen to lobby for some silly games.
    Weak.
  13. hunnygun
    13. Posted by hunnygun Mon Sep 28, 2009 10:15 am EDT

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    If you need the olympics to feel good about the USA, then you don't know what it means to be an American.
    This jerk is wasting my tax payer dollars to fly to Europe. Screw him. He's an **hole.
  14. William O R
    14. Posted by William O R Mon Sep 28, 2009 10:24 am EDT

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    I agree. The optics look bad. He's just an absolute disaster on foreign policy, on the economy (Mr. "Profits-to-Earning Ratio" Guy, remember that?), on health care (Mr. "Doctors Take out Tonsils to make Thousands of Dollars" Douche, remember that?), on race (Mr. "The Boston Cop was obvsiouly wrong" Guy). On everything.
    Keep him out of sports. I want this guy to be less and less visible in other areas of my life.
    We got more and more brave soldiers dying in Afghanistan, and he's off jet-setting to Denmark for the stupid freakin' Olympics that no one watches?! Screw him.
  15. CavsFan
    15. Posted by CavsFan Mon Sep 28, 2009 10:28 am EDT

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    At all you Obama critics, put the pitchforks away on this issue. He's doing what the other leaders are doing. And think how much money and jobs this would bring to the country? Thousands and thousands of journalists, athletes and tourists coming from around the world to spend their money in the US. This is a good thing for the country so please grow up and attack him on legitimate politcal issues, and not the olympics, which of all things should be bi-partisan.
  16. Becky
    16. Posted by Becky Mon Sep 28, 2009 10:29 am EDT

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    And while the most famous Chicagoan in the world is off trying to boost his poll numbers by winning the 2016 Olympics for Chicago, there's a general sitting on his thumbs wondering whether he's going to get an answer to a question that's a lot more life-and-death for the nation.
    Worst. President. Ever.
  17. Corey C
    17. Posted by Corey C Mon Sep 28, 2009 10:31 am EDT

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    I doubt that some of you guys are american....but as far as the Olympics go and the idea that no one watches it, here is a link to disprove that myth.
    http://www.seattlepi.com/tv/374653_olyratings13.html
  18. bgates
    18. Posted by bgates Mon Sep 28, 2009 10:36 am EDT

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    Eight months in, and the only defense of the One made on here is that he's no worse than Bush.
    Even that defense is poorly presented. It's more understandable for a President to attend the games themselves - spirit of friendly international competition and all that - than for a President to travel overseas to make a sales pitch. Besides that, Bush went as a lame duck, not a new President with a solid Congressional majority. And the economy is much worse now than it was last August.
    So even on the narrow issue of overseas Olympic-related travel, Obama is much worse than Bush. I wonder if he'll run again in 2012, or bow out? Maybe he could get jobs with the UN *and* the IOC, and spend the rest of his life touring the world giving speeches on behalf of enormously corrupt organizations. Finally, he'd have a job he's prepared for.
  19. Corey C
    19. Posted by Corey C Mon Sep 28, 2009 10:43 am EDT

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    It's not understandable for a President to attend the games when the right is reserved for vice-presidents. The president is the face of your nation and should promote the image of the nation. If that means attending functions aboard in an effort to bring events like the Olympics to the US, where is the issue with that?
  20. Vote Life
    20. Posted by Vote Life Mon Sep 28, 2009 10:47 am EDT

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    Where are all the damn jobs already?????
  21. dawsey
    21. Posted by dawsey Mon Sep 28, 2009 10:49 am EDT

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    CAVS FAN: I don't know how many jobs will it bring to our country do you since it was brought up - answer the question......the answer will be probably be some union based initative to cover for his supporters of Chicago. Cavs fan, how much money will it cost us for his broad, and his Chicago WH cronies going to Denmark the taxpayer? Dont be partisan is this really worth it especially this day and age of cheaper alternatives?
    I really enjoy how when someone brings up wasting tax dollars, corrupt ACORN matters, Wright or Ayers that liberals believe we all have pitchforks and should discuss Legit political issues instead of lying back and just taking Obama socialism off my hard working back. You speak of Bi-Partisan, this so-called man and so-called American our Pres. is the most partisan non substantive person that I have ever seen ever. Even the France elf last week appeared stronger and of more courage than what we've got. Hey Cavs put away your welfare check i will keep my pitch fork and gun!
  22. Awesome
    22. Posted by Awesome Mon Sep 28, 2009 11:08 am EDT

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    I am pretty sure that the olympics would require us to build facilities, which would then create jobs....there isn't much that he can do about jobs, considering he doesn't have the power to make laws, that's congress. Unfortunately he is trying to do his job as president which happens to be working with congress rather than railroading things through and abusing executive power like the last one...for shame...
  23. dawsey
    23. Posted by dawsey Mon Sep 28, 2009 11:34 am EDT

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    Forcing every American into some form of Health Coverage or you will be fined $3,000+ (not a tax just clarifying) for that criminal act. This is not abusing power (for shame) correct? Where in any founding American document permits the Government to Extort my $$$ and give it to someone else for Health Care? I forgot Obama is the Messiah with is little Liberal bunch, he is brilliant and I can not understand the big picture.....although, he wants to take my money, mind, and success to build on HIS agenda - that is shameful.
    Right Awesome, sure jobs will be created just like all these other SHOVEL READY jobs promised 10 months ago? I forgot only union-based companies were eligible for the Stimulus jobs which elimates most contractors while taking care of the liberal supporters. Liberal tag lines are amazing aren't they - I onto you .
    Obama job as President is to protect and enforce the American Constitution along with it would be nice to hear that our country is great and why from our President who just happens to be the first elected Afican American President of the United States. But, instead our Constitional Scholar despises the constition among other things thus Awesome you are wrong once again.
  24. Beth H
    24. Posted by Beth H Mon Sep 28, 2009 11:45 am EDT

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    What happened to he was staying home to focus on health care? I guess he's been in the US to long and needs another VACATION!
    That's all this man does is take time off. Geesh, what happened to sending his secret weapon, MO.
  25. mike
    25. Posted by mike Mon Sep 28, 2009 11:47 am EDT

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    The longer this Idiot avoids the real issues in our country the longer he can blame Bush.

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