Pretty sad picture of President Obama and Michelle and Jacques Rogge of the International Olympic Committee yesterday, wasn’t it? You’d think it would have been all smiles, but there he was after the speech with head down. And only four hours in Copenhagen?
Well, one can believe the Daleys can’t count votes anymore. And the result probably couldn’t have been predicted in advance (for one thing, the IOC works differently from other international organizations, so it’s not like a formal demarche where a foreign government might give a formal answer on its expected vote at an upcoming international meeting). IOC members are supposed to be independent (cough, outside of what used to be called the Free World). Still, Chicago organizers should have at least known they would not get eliminated in the first round. Perhaps things did change quickly after the tragic beating death of Derrion Albert and the late poll showing only minority support for hosting the Olympics (the IOC loves nothing more than to be loved and to have its folkways respected, one of which is that ordinary taxpayers want to have and pay for the Games. Any doubt on this score is likely fatal.)
On the other hand… Insider loves a good conspiracy theory as much as anyone else, so here’s one. Given that Obama looked pretty somber rather than happy in that picture after his speech, did they actually know that they were going to lose? Let’s say opinion did swing to Madrid in the last few days. (As an aside, Madrid’s 28 votes in the first round could represent the entire European Union, less Spain which could not vote plus one of the candidate countries, Croatia or Iceland.) But by this point, the President had already committed to go to Copenhagen. Not going would have been a slap in the face to the IOC (who love to be loved) and a virtual admission of defeat. So go and leave before the vote. Make Chicago happy and don’t embarrass yourself too much before the family of sport.
And if this is right? Then the Obama crowd really missed a trick. Really, really missed a trick. The President’s remarks should have included a line about how Chicago was competing against “four great cities, though I also regret that the excellent and historic bid of Doha, Qatar, was not considered for this vote today.” (Doha actually scored higher than Rio in the evaluation round, but because the Qataris understandably wanted to hold the Olympics in cooler October, theIOC ultimately did not accept the bid for today’s vote.)
That’s Muslim world outreach – telling the Arab world we wouldn’t mind having the Olympics there, and not a word about settlements, Iraq, or Gitmo. Just the American belief in fair play, in both senses of the words.
25 responses so far
1 LauraNo // Oct 3, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Here’s my conspiracy theory. Obama WANTED to lose the Olympics, to show nearly the entire GOP celebrating America’s loss. I bet those independents are not amused. That mean old Obama, making GOP look bad again.
2 MFarmer // Oct 3, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Yeah, that’s the ticket — Obama wanted to lose. Brilliant!
3 txanne // Oct 3, 2009 at 9:54 pm
You guys are truly rattled by Obama.
4 johnmarzan // Oct 4, 2009 at 5:49 am
OMG, the left wing kooks are still here.
5 oldgal // Oct 4, 2009 at 8:32 am
If you really want to build a new majority I recommend you post Joe Scarborough’s comments about the olympics.
6 johnmarzan // Oct 4, 2009 at 8:44 am
[quote]Here’s my conspiracy theory. Obama WANTED to lose the Olympics, to show nearly the entire GOP celebrating America’s loss. I bet those independents are not amused. That mean old Obama, making GOP look bad again.[/quote]
I bet Bushitler could have done a better job than your beloved Obama. Obama embarassed the US by finishing last in Olympic tally.
The world may like obama, but they don’t respect him.
As for Iran, Venezuela and NK, not only do they not respect him, they don’t fear him either.
7 txanne // Oct 4, 2009 at 11:37 am
4 johnmarzan // Oct 4, 2009 at 5:49 am
“OMG, the left wing kooks are still here.”
But really, how is one to respond to this kooky nonsense?
8 greg_barton // Oct 4, 2009 at 2:12 pm
I want all of you right leaning folks to keep thinking this “conspiracy theory” is left wing nonsense.
Unfortunately for ya’ll you’re being completely outclassed by Obama. He probably knew that Chicago would lose, so what he did was brilliant strategy: go the extra mile to please the Chicago home folks, draw Republicans and conservatives into outrageous and over the top criticism, garner sympathy for making the effort, and lead his opponents into a “I’m dancing at America losing” stance.
Brilliant. And ya’ll fell for it, of course. And you’ll keep falling for it, because you’re filled with wrath, pride, and more than a bit of greed.
9 Oneon1isto // Oct 4, 2009 at 4:41 pm
This is the most idiotic pablum I’ve ever heard. I suppose it’s all in good fun, but come on. Just a few days ago everyone on the right was complaining about him even showing up to try and push Chicago. Now the right’s complaining that this shows weakness that he didn’t win, and now (I k now, I know, all in good fun) the author’s trotting out a conspiracy theory. As if we didn’t have enough.
Which brings me to: I’m so tired of the lose-lose positioning of the GOP. Obama could go either way, and you’d have a complaint waiting for him at the door, regardless of the efficacy of his actions. Like Iran–in one meeting he accomplishes more than Bush did in 7 years of saber-rattling, and instead of recognizing a short-term win for America you’re already bickering about how this is a loss for us and we’re “giving in” to the enemy. Patriotic, indeed.
Anyway, Rio deserved to get the Olympics, South America’s never had one, ever. Lots were predicting that would be a tough one to beat, and we didn’t. Chicago probably lucked out anyway, Olympic games can be net losses for the cities that have them.
10 johnmarzan // Oct 4, 2009 at 9:28 pm
:rolleyes: enjoy your wacko conspiracy theory while you can, leftwingers.
so “he knew” that he chicago would lose, but did he know it would end up in last place? all along, right?
of course, obama would not have gotten the derision from his critics and doubters if Chicago came in a respectable second or even third.
I thought the world would love the USA more if the redeemer and USA apologizer in chief made the pitch. some dems like sen. burris are even complaining that it was bush’s fault. but even bush for all his faults would have done better job than the humiliating first round exit in copenhagen.
it’s not how the US lost that’s outrageous, but THE WAY it lost. and THE WAY it lost should be blamed all on the incompetent and bumbling obama admin.
okay, i’m done. continue with your fantasies and conspiracy monging.
11 johnmarzan // Oct 4, 2009 at 10:12 pm
edit: it’s not that the US lost that’s outrageous, but THE WAY it lost. and THE WAY it lost should be blamed all on the incompetent and bumbling obama admin.
anyway david, the better question would be: what if obame knew all along that chicago would end up dead last?
12 balconesfault // Oct 4, 2009 at 11:00 pm
I’m not sure if people realize that there is no bronze or silver medals for Olympic Host finalists. You win … and host the Olympics … or you go home with nothing.
Does anyone think that Madrid feels better that they were eliminated last, instead of first? Nope. It means that they’re not hosting the Olympics. Should we all be feeling bad because Chicago got eliminated before Tokyo? I’d call it childish, if it weren’t pure partisan hackery.
13 johnmarzan // Oct 4, 2009 at 11:17 pm
no, only the obama admin and it’s media sycophants are humilitated in this exercise. i feel bad for the people of chicago, but congrats to rio!
obama is mostly media hype. the world was supposed to love the US now that he’s in charge. but apparently when results are needed–NADA!
14 greg_barton // Oct 5, 2009 at 2:18 am
johnmarzan:
Um…d00d…is this a leftwinger site? I don’t think you’re paying attention. The idea was proposed right here by an “NM Washington insider,” not some “leftwinger.”
15 PinkoLefty // Oct 5, 2009 at 3:18 am
Warning! Warning! I am detecting a dangerous buildup of Schadenfreude coming from the Right!
16 balconesfault // Oct 5, 2009 at 6:01 am
obama is mostly media hype. the world was supposed to love the US now that he’s in charge. but apparently when results are needed–NADA!
While Obama is very popular throughout the world, there is someone who agrees with you, John:
Al-Qaida No. 2 calls Obama a ‘fraud’
By SARAH EL DEEB (AP) – 6 days ago
CAIRO — Al-Qaida’s deputy leader on Monday seized upon President Barack Obama’s failure to bring about a freeze in Israeli settlement construction in the West Bank and called him a “fraud” in a new audio message.
*******************************
I think that Obama’s popularity may not be translating into a stronger bargaining power internationally because foreign leaders are witnessing an unprecedented undercutting of the President’s foreign policy agenda by Obama’s opposition at home, and are probably sitting pat to see what happens domestically in America before they make any concessions.
In the last few months, we’ve seen the following from Republican congressmen:
• Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) is visiting Honduras in order to support the recent military coup against a leftist president, which has been opposed by the Obama administration and all the surrounding countries in the region.
• Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) will be going to the upcoming climate change conference in Copenhagen, bringing a “Truth Squad” to tell foreign officials there that the American government will not take any action: “Now, I want to make sure that those attending the Copenhagen conference know what is really happening in the United States Senate.”
• House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) traveled to Israel, where he spoke out against President Obama’s opposition to expanded settlements. He also defended Israel on the eviction of two Arab families from a house in east Jerusalem, which had been criticized by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
• Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL) boasted in June that he told Chinese officials not to trust America’s budget numbers. “One of the messages I had — because we need to build trust and confidence in our number one creditor,” said Kirk, “is that the budget numbers that the US government had put forward should not be believed.” Since then, he has declared his candidacy for U.S. Senate.
17 johnmarzan // Oct 5, 2009 at 7:31 am
oh, now you’re comparing me to al queda. how clever. while you’re at it, why not throw in hitler comparisons too.
sure, blame the repubs for obama admin’s disastrous olympic last place fiasco.
18 johnmarzan // Oct 5, 2009 at 7:37 am
i was responding to you greg barton. that’s why i quoted your post, not NM Washington insider.
it’s true that this is not a leftwinger site. but for a conservative blog, there’s are a lot of leftwing wacko commenters here, and they outnumber the rightwingers. these commenters were probably imported from the leftwing bhtv site run by loonys like bjkeefe.
but i will continue to comment on this site out of loyalty for frum.
19 johnmarzan // Oct 5, 2009 at 7:40 am
does anybody know which 18 countries voted for the US o A? obama should reward them and punish the rest by giving and witholding foreign aid, “Chicago style” patronage.
20 midcon // Oct 5, 2009 at 9:09 am
Thank God Chicago lost. Can you imagine the cost to the nation in prestige and money if they had won? Despite the fact that Chicage is a great city, the city is rife with issues including not the least of which are significant racial and economic problems between the different sides of Chicago. Rather than opining about Obama’s role or whether it is his loss, be thankful it was a loss!
21 balconesfault // Oct 5, 2009 at 9:26 am
does anybody know which 18 countries voted for the US o A? obama should reward them and punish the rest by giving and witholding foreign aid, “Chicago style” patronage.
Right. Because the Olympics bid was important enough to use the type of chits that a nation usually reserves for the most serious threats to its economy or national security.
22 balconesfault // Oct 5, 2009 at 9:36 am
oh, now you’re comparing me to al queda. how clever. while you’re at it, why not throw in hitler comparisons too.
Just noting that outside the Republican Party, the only people in the world who really seem scornful of Obama are the Israelis and Al Qaeda.
And no, that doesn’t mean Obama is some kind of Messiah (I could see that card coming out of your hand already…). It means that Obama has been incredibly adept at outreach, touting America’s values with a sense of humility that Bush claimed he would bring to the national stage (surely you remember his 2000 campaign pledge to have a “humble” foreign policy) – and that the only actors in the world who feel he represents a real threat to them are the Republican Party, Al Qaeda, and Israel (who wants no pressure from America to withdraw from their illegal expansions of settlements in the occupied territories).
Obama went to Copenhagen as a salesman of America, not as a dealmaker. That he couldn’t close the sale in this instance wasn’t a shock – Rio was basically selling a better product, and it would have been counterproductive to America’s greater interests had he actually tried to engage in any arm-twisting over this. But every time Obama and his wonderful family travels abroad it seems to bring good will from everywhere but the Republican Party.
Perhaps it’s time to wonder where the values of some on the extreme right are these days, when their primary focus is on undermining whatever good the President might be able to achieve on the global stage.
23 EscapeVelocity // Oct 5, 2009 at 1:25 pm
I think that Obama’s popularity may not be translating into a stronger bargaining power internationally because foreign leaders are witnessing an unprecedented undercutting of the President’s foreign policy agenda by Obama’s opposition at home, and are probably sitting pat to see what happens domestically in America before they make any concessions. — balconesfault
I wonder who invented that trick?
Well, I dont wonder, I in fact know. Enjoy the Western Left Zeitgeist.
24 EscapeVelocity // Oct 5, 2009 at 1:28 pm
and that the only actors in the world who feel he represents a real threat to them are the Republican Party, Al Qaeda, and Israel (who wants no pressure from America to withdraw from their illegal expansions of settlements in the occupied territories). — balconesfault
The 3 amigos, heh?
Those damn Israeli Jews, if we could just get rid of those trouble makers, heh? Then crush the Western Right……peace will overflow the land, and intellectual blooming like that of the Renaisance will esconsce the planet.
What a hoot!
25 brandon // Oct 5, 2009 at 5:34 pm
“Perhaps it’s time to wonder where the values of some on the extreme right are these days, when their primary focus is on undermining whatever good the President might be able to achieve on the global stage.”
I want Obama to achieve success on the world stage. I also would want my college football team to beat the #1 team in the country, but I know it is not going to happen. Same with Obama’s foreign policy.
We’ve seen this type of foreign policy before, it was called the Carter Administration. It failed in 1979 and it will fail in 2009. It is much better to be respected by the world than to be liked.
The worst problem is that there is no Ronald Reagan on the horizon to repair the damage from Obama’s incompetence.
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