Lowering The Bar In Copenhagen

Eugene Robinson of the WaPo frets about Obama's trip to Copenhagen to meet with the International Olympic Committee and pitch his adopted hometown:

I doubt President Obama’s trip to Copenhagen to argue for Chicago to get the Olympics matters much, but, on balance, I think I’d have skipped it.

...

You could argue that such personal attention from such a popular, charismatic leader would boost Chicago’s chances. But there’s another school of thought, which holds that a presidential visit is overkill. The United States, assumed to have all the advantages in any competition, is often not allowed to behave like other countries. To the extent that Obama’s visit is perceived not as a token of respect but as a display of immodesty -- an application of overwhelming force -- it could hurt Chicago, rather than help.

Maybe.  And how many members of the IOC are sensitive to the accusation of racism?  Mr. Robinson picks Rio as the winner on Friday; they were the solid second place bet behind Chicago but have been finding lots of betting support.

However, Obama needs to make this trip.  He will be a young man when he eventually leaves office; the 2016 Olympics will represent a bounteous Federal and municipal windfall for Chicago - Obama needs to be seen as the guy who drove the bus, to make doubly sure that Michelle, Valerie and he can cash in.  It's the Chicago way brought to Washington.  All in the name of "public service" of course - ask not what you can do for your country...

OVER AT INTRADE:  Chicago is given a 58% chance of being the venue at Intrade; Rio is at 33%.  Interestingly, Rio was at 45% on no volume on Sept 22.

Comments

[Schornick]

Mr. Robinson says:"You could argue that such personal attention from such a popular, charismatic leader would boost Chicago’s chances. But there’s another school of thought, which holds that a presidential visit is overkill."

I would say overkill is a pretty good description of Obama's entire presidency thus far.

[Neo]

With the recent political snits and snubs, you could easily argue that Europe may want to send the naive US President a "wake up call" by showing that his persuasive skills have a limit by giving the games to Rio.
There is nothing of strategic importance her, so a European snub would not risk lives, except perhaps the political lives of a few in Chicago.

[hit and run]

Well.

If you ask me (and even if you don't), I say the decision for who gets the Olympics should be based on...http://thevimh.blogspot.com/2009/10/global-warming-effect-on-2016-olympics.html>Global Warming!

Sorry, Chicago...Olá, Rio!

[Jack is Back!]

Neo,

I don't think it is exclusively up to Europe to make this decision. As I understand it all countries vote for each city one at a time. It starts on October 2nd (tomorrow at 0845hrs GMT+1 for Chicago then goes on to Tokyo, Rio and Madrid. You can watch live at the LUN.

[clarice]

Good piece, Hit!

[Neo]

There has been widespread speculation that Obama is flying to Copenhagen for a four-hour lobbying mission only because the White House has gotten a private heads-up that Chicago will win and that he should come to claim victory. But the sources close to the process insisted that the voting has not been pre-cooked, meaning Obama is swooping in at some political risk, because it is unclear whether the U.S. bid will be successful.