Obama loses gamble -- Chicago out of Olympics contention
October 2, 2009 | 8:39
am
In a stunner, the International Olympic Committee dropped Chicago from contention for the 2016 Summer Games in the first round of voting today. Tokyo was eliminated in the second round.
No word yet from the White House, where President Obama risked political capital to make a last-minute appeal to the committee.
Left in the running: Rio, which boasted it would be the first city from South America to host the Games, and Madrid, home to the former president of the IOC.
-- Johanna Neuman
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Posted by: Clover | October 02, 2009 at 08:46 AM
this shows how low the world holds Obama. The news wants us to think the world loves him. If you read the international news they laugh at him
Posted by: james | October 02, 2009 at 08:51 AM
President Obama stubs his toe on more occasions than any president I've ever known.
Posted by: tnhll | October 02, 2009 at 08:55 AM
What a bummer. Chicago would have been a wonderful city and it does seem a little fishy that the president of IOC has his home city in the final two. I just hope that the city is able to perform and we have a wonderful 2016 olympic games.
-Alex
Posted by: Alex carlstead | October 02, 2009 at 08:56 AM
This was really a very bad idea from the beginning. America has far more important issues at stake in 2009 than an Olympics that would benefit Obama's pals and real estate dealings in Chicago of 2012. I think Obama made a fool out of himself and the US at his (and his wife's) egotistical media circus event at the IOC. This will go down as one of the worst PR failures in history. It should be played at every Olympics during the "agony of defeat" segment.
Posted by: Jared Sakren | October 02, 2009 at 08:57 AM
Just wait, they are going to blame it on racism..After all we had Oprah, Obamas on this together...
I say the world is racist!!!
Posted by: Friedada | October 02, 2009 at 08:58 AM
Slapped by a spiteful, malicious, domineering woman, one that is highly unlikeable and objectionable. Way to go NOBAMA.
Posted by: Dr. J Barnes | October 02, 2009 at 09:18 AM
What a waste of time. Questionable judgement exhibited once again by President Obama, the First Lady, Oprah, and whoever else they could cram onto the gravy train. Can the American tax payer please get reimbursed for the expenses incurred on this goose chase?
Posted by: Rico | October 02, 2009 at 09:51 AM
The International Olympic Committee MUST BE RASICT NOT TO VOTE FOR OBAMA BID FOR CHICAGO TO HOST THE GAMES.
Posted by: me | October 02, 2009 at 10:15 AM
There was Michelle Obama, with her beauty, elegant fashionable dress style, ( in the minds of some), world known Oprah, rich, loved by many, and most of all, charismatic Barack Obama who can lure almost any fool to his side. What happened? Did the olympic committee see someone trying to force something down their throats?
Posted by: Jan | October 02, 2009 at 01:42 PM
This is probably the most glaring demonstration yet of the fact that Obama really just doesn't 'get it'. The POTUS has been ignored and humiliated before an international audience - not Obama, the institution of the Presidency. The standing of this office affects all of our international dealings and commitments. These have long reaching effects, the significance of which are apparently beyond the grasp of this administration.
I have the uncomfortable feeling that the US has elected the worlds most popular High School teacher.
Posted by: Malcolm | October 02, 2009 at 06:53 PM
Jesse Jackson is playing the race card on the Olympic Committee!
Posted by: steve rodriguez | October 03, 2009 at 12:37 AM