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President Obama and his Olympic size fail
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Obama impersonator and cardboard image of Michelle
Many have been inquiring as to why the President of the United States would put his credibility on the line and fly off to Copenhagen to press for the Chicago Olympic Games. Especially given the full complement of issues he has to deal with. With two wars, 9.8% (as of this weekend) unemployment and congressional and popular opposition to his cap and trade and health care plans growing by the day, why risk the embarrassment? I think the answer has to do with the President’s own perceived narrative, a narrative which is beginning to serve him poorly.
This is not an empty question; power is like a renewable resource which must be husbanded and replenished, and perceived relative power matters when states and leaders are pursuing their agendas. Shortly after George W. Bush toppled Saddam’s regime, U.S. power began to rise, which is why Qaddafi gave up his nuclear plans and began cooperating with the international community to hunt down terrorists. As Iraq descended into chaos and President Bush searched for a solution to no avail, U.S. power became greatly diminished (notice Qaddafi and Iran acting up again). President Bush then “doubled down” and pushed the surge plan, which has now brought the Iraq war to a fairly successful conclusion. (Though President Obama could still blow it, this appears unlikely.) By this point however the damage had mostly been done and it will take a long time to recover U.S. prestige and power. The final results in Iraq and Afghanistan along with U.S. monetary policy will, in large part, determine how long.
With so much going wrong for the President at the moment it seems silly to go to Copenhagen and publicly place his credibility on the line unless he could be reasonably certain Chicago’s bid was in the bag. To make a point of sending his wife and Oprah on one plane and then going personally on a second plane a few days later to plead his case, only to have Chicago be the very first city eliminated is a huge public embarrassment for the President. It also leaves him weakened at home and abroad going into the health care debates, and the meetings with Iran.
Many independents joined those on the right in criticizing the President for lowering the prestige of his office to become “salesman in chief” for the Chicago Olympics. Billions spent in bailouts have done nothing, Government takeovers of the banking and auto industries have done nothing, unemployment is creeping toward 10% and it looks more and more as if it would have been better to let the free market sort out the winners and losers rather than spending billions to prop up zombie entities. Speaking of spending, the fed is clearly monetizing our debt which will lead to hyperinflation and a worthless dollar. All while commanders in Afghanistan are waiting for an answer to their request for more troops and approval of their proposed strategy change.
The President must have thought that, A) there was no way the International Olympic Committee (IOC) could refuse his magic oratory and , B) appearing publicly to push for the games will generate a positive PR victory and provide a week of positive news coverage to help stop falling poll numbers. In short, he never considered he could lose, and he was looking for an easy PR coup.
Unfortunately, the IOC may have noticed that many residents of Chicago were opposed to the public spending and inconvenience which come with the Olympics and did not want Mayor Daly's corruption rewarded with the Olympics. (Over 40% opposed according to RealClearPolitics poll from last week.) Many Americans have also been extremely vocal in pointing out that the United States actually has a few more important things to worry about then a sporting event. Finally, Chicago is a very dangerous city. Thanks to Mayor Daly and his political cronyism, huge sections of Chicago are virtually lawless. Witness the two vicious beatings occurring just days before the IOC announcement. Does the IOC want to worry about the safety of their athletes in a city where gangs operate with impunity? It appears the answer is a resounding “No”.
Perhaps this rejection will cause some of the President’s Chicago allies to stop looking for “PR” wins, and instead try and clean up Chicago and make it safe for decent people by getting the thugs and animals off the streets. That would be a real win for citizens. As for the President, perhaps he will now focus his time on things of a little more national importance than the Discus event.
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