IOC to US:"It's Been Rio"
Like a jilted lover, the ROTW(rest of the world) was not ready to make up. If this vote were to take place 1 or 2 years from now I think the outcome would have been in Chicago's favor. It was just too soon after Bush for the ROTW to forget all the slights('old Europe', 'quaint' Geneva Conventions, 'no' to Kyoto, GITMO, abu Ghraib, etc.). There just hasn't been enough time, or substance, for the ROTW to determine if our promises to be a better boyfriend are sincere or not.
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I have to say I am disappointed, really disappointed and angry. I'm disappointed and angry for the people of Chicago who really wanted this and worked really hard for it. I'm disappointed and angry that the media, from Left to Right, offered so little moral support. They questioned the President's judgment for taking 5 hours out of his day - while DC was asleep - to sing the praises of Chicago, for America. They called it a waste of time. Is that what we do now, only go after what is guaranteed? Never taking risks? Never in my life did I hear so many people bash the Olympics - an event that leaves any country bursting with pride.
It angers me that the media is now "stunned" that Obama didn't have this locked. George S. had the nerve to ask what happened to the President's powers of persuasion. Hey George! you're not helping to debunk the myth that Obama is the Messiah. And it pisses me off even more that a lot of people in this country are cheering this loss, specifically because they wanted Obama and his former home city to FAIL! They don't consider either to be a part of Real America.
I heard that Rio had lobbied the IOC to vote for Tokyo over Chicago so that Chicago would get eliminated. If that's true, Rio probably just had the judges watch FOX News, the town halls, and the tea parties. That would scare anybody away from this country.
October 2, 2009 12:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Viva,
I agree that the cynicism in the media did not help. Fox Noise, the defacto GOP news agency, will say ANYTHING to keep our President from 'winning'.
I still think the #1 reason Chicago lost out is that the ROTW hasn't quite been able to wash the bad taste of Bush out of their mouths yet.
PS How about a recommend?
October 2, 2009 12:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
And maybe it's as simple as the fact that there has never been a South American Olympics, Rio had a good proposal and the IOC's decisions isn't -- or certainly shouldn't be -- based on political clout (or worse - see, Salt Lake City) or used to pronounce judgment on this or that leader. Someone has to win and someone has to lose - simple as that. I know the folks in Chicago, and elsewhere, are disappointed but the City, and our President, gave it their best effort and for that we can be proud. I'm glad he tried and very glad that it worked out for him to meet with McCrystal face to face.
As to the ones criticizing Obama for going over to Copenhagen -- don't you know that they would be after him for his "lack of patriotism" or "indifference to the pride and economic needs of our country" if he had NOT gone. The easiest thing in the world to do is to criticize: being good at that (which I'll grant you they are) is like being good at combing your hair. Not really very unusual or impressive. They don't deserve attention or even anger -- simply a yawn.
October 2, 2009 1:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe, but Chicago was the FIRST city dropped, losing to Tokyo and Madrid as well, thus my theory as stated above.
I agree on the rest of your comment though, thank you!
October 2, 2009 7:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
The logical part of my brain knew that Rio would get it. It's their first and if I was on the panel (with no attachments to the US) I would have voted for them also.
And I know that O would have gotten slammed by his former city, the media and the GOP if he hadn't gone. I know they all still would have claimed he cost Chicago the Olympics.
I've yawned off other things, but this rejoicing at Chicago's loss because it might hurt Obama is sickening. I laughed a little when I read Josh's statement under "Counterfactual" on the front page. I was thinking exactly the same thing.
October 2, 2009 1:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
You're absolutely right! While the endless Obama bashing is getting predictable and yawn-worthy, the unholy "glee" that the US and Chicago lost out is just plain sick!!! .... and very, very revealing.
October 2, 2009 3:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
It is truly optimistic to believe we are going to return to a position of worldwide admiration. This vote is a sure sign that the ROTW has found their collective voice which is, together, much stronger then the US ever was, or ever could be. I'm disappointed not to have the Olympics, but I can celebrate Rio stepping into the world spotlight and South America coming into their own.
Now let's drop this failure in the lap of the GOP AND the MSM, and raise our resentment for their inability to stand united with us. Their overt sabotage cost us the Games.
October 2, 2009 2:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
"It is truly optimistic to believe we are going to return to a position of worldwide admiration."
Do you think a US venue will NEVER be elected by the IOC again? Wow, that's harsh.
Usually, when the Olympic movement needs a boost and TV sponsors need American consumers, the games come back to the US. Maybe you're right, maybe that era is over...
October 2, 2009 7:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
No. I never said that. We might get to host the Olympics again some day.
But I do think there are a lot of other places where they could have the games and, in this new age of global markets, losing 300 million potential viewers in the US, but gaining the rest of the world, is not a deal breaker. Frankly, I think we are fading a lot faster then people realize. It will take more then Obama for us to return to any semblance of our former glory, if we ever do. Right now, we do not stand united. We stand with the GOP making every effort to take our legs our from under us.
October 3, 2009 1:04 AM | Reply | Permalink
Well the title alone: I hereby render unto you the Dalyly Line of the Day Award for this here TPMCafe Site. Given to all of you from all of me.
ITS BEEN RIO
HAHAHAHA
October 2, 2009 3:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ah thenkyew, thenkyew. I couldn't have dunnit widdout mah fans (well, maybe ah coulda).
October 2, 2009 7:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Where the Olympics happen seven years from now is probably a small concern of the President's, considering how much he already has on his plate. I think he's probably happy for the Brazilians for being selected to host the first South American games. Of course, he also probably knows that if he expressed this, he would further be bashed for being "anti-American." We shouldn't read too much into this IOC vote and the media shouldn't care so much. There are better ways to gauge how the international community views us. There are other factors involved for an IOC vote. For example, the US has hosted the Olympics eight times before, more than any other country. I think it's only a matter of time before the US hosts the games again.
October 3, 2009 12:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Certainly not the best way to gauge (anti)American sentiment but still telling IMO.
The IOC seems to have turned the Games, especially Summer, back(Tokyo '64, Mexico City '68)into a huge 'coming out party' for host nations. I think this trend will continue, my predictions for subsequent Summer Games:
2020 a city in India
2024 a city in South Africa
2028 a city in E. Europe (Prague? Warsaw?)
2032 Nome Alaska (it will be warm enough)
PS kenichi bites turds
October 3, 2009 12:43 PM | Reply | Permalink