In a stinging rebuke to U.S. President Barack Obama, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Friday rejected Chicago’s bid to host the 2016 games.
A year ago, Obama predicted that Chicago would win the games.
As it turned out, Chicago was voted “off the Olympic island” in the first round, with Rio de Janeiro, Brazil prevailing on the final ballot over Madrid, Spain by a two-to-one margin.
Both President Obama and his wife, Chicago native Michelle Obama, flew to Copenhagen, Denmark to directly lobby the IOC on behalf of Chicago’s bid. Prior to the vote, the “Windy City” was widely regarded as a front-runner to win the games, along with Tokyo, which was eliminated in the second round.
“I saw him everywhere,” Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said of Obama’s lobbying might. “I thought we had lost, we had lost because … Obama came.”
“You can play a great game and still not win,” Obama said after returning to the White House Friday from Copenhagen.
By Ron October 2, 2009 at 2:29 pm
An Obama Bitch Slap!
By lando October 2, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Chicago never had a chance. Brazil is loaded with natural resources and lots of oil of its continental shelf.
Europe is looking to cut some lucrative deals.
Besides, South America has never hosted an Olympics.
I don’t blame Obama for this one.
By Not Sayin', Just Sayin' October 2, 2009 at 2:37 pm
LMAO! Who wants to go to Chicago for anything anyway?
By Rick October 2, 2009 at 2:50 pm
It’s Bushs fault. After all, who can deny Oprah, Michele and of course ME, the “ONE”.
By Darth October 2, 2009 at 2:57 pm
So where’s tha pix of Mandy’s Brazilian?
By Crooner October 2, 2009 at 3:10 pm
So that was a stinging rebuke? I suppose it was a stinging rebuke to Spain and whatever other country threw their name in the hat?
You just can’t stand it that our president is smarter, thinner, and better looking than you. Oh, but wait: so was W.
By Mickey Blue Eyes October 2, 2009 at 3:18 pm
OMG! If Dear Leader can’t successfully negotiate with the unarmed IOC wimps, how is he going to do against heavily armed and nuclear weapon armed Iran?!
By RedBank Bar October 2, 2009 at 3:31 pm
Why do Repugnant Party members hate America?
By Pat Hendrix October 2, 2009 at 4:07 pm
In a stunning rebuke to reality, this had nothing to do with the president. Plus, man oh man, can you imagine the talent floating around Rio? The luv guv might fall over dead.
By Pamela October 2, 2009 at 4:07 pm
stinging rebuke, bitch slapped ?? yes patriotism is alive & well in the good ole USA. I’m just sorry for the jobs it would have created.
By fitsnews October 2, 2009 at 4:12 pm
It was a stinging rebuke. Obama made a big deal about this, predicted we would win it and invested a ton of political capitol in attempting to win it.
“Stinging rebuke” is not dancing on the graves of lost jobs, although we suspect there are some Repubs who are doing that.
Again, we’re not Repubs.
-FITS
By sid October 2, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Chicago had been the favorite to win for a while. While probably not entirely Barry’s failure, he gets to share some of the blame. I mean, his town went from favorite to last after he and his wife showed up. Or should we blame Oprah?
By Jonny D October 2, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Too many murders and other violent crime in Chicago, WTF is up with that anyway? Never mind the Olympics, how about doing something about stopping all that crime!
And isn’t Brazil “right there” next to Argentina? I think I know someone who will be there, “respirando o amor” and “aspirando liberdade”!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qpt0bhiD9k
By brian October 2, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Stinging rebuke, my ass! Why would anyone not want the Olympics to come to America. Of course he made a big deal out of it, as he and any President should. I want our leader out trying to bring jobs and a great event like this to the USA and everyone should also. At least he is doing something to get jobs unlike Mark Sanford, who has never recruited a single job to this state worth a damn. When he did try to leave the state to recruit jobs it was only to get a little South American tail. Every Republican needs a big fat bitch slap! FITS News is absolutely promoting a pro-Republican agenda regardless how many RINOs you like to call out. Your a republican or worse a libertarian like your former boss. Name one Democrat you like, respect and would vote for, I dare you.
By Bobby October 2, 2009 at 4:44 pm
I’m not sure it’s a stinging rebuke, nor am I sure he invested a “ton” of political capitol. The leaders of Japan, Brazil, and Spain were all present at the IOC meeting as well; there could only be one winner. It really made sense to give the games to Rio, since South America has never had the games before. President Obama deserves credit for going and representing the United States and Chicago well, whatever the outcome.
Also, it is important to note that he met with General McChrystal while he was there, a meeting that would have been impossible had he not gone to Copenhagen. People are making too big of a deal of nothing.
By joebo October 2, 2009 at 4:51 pm
How far is Brazil from Argentina?
By Pat Hendrix October 2, 2009 at 4:55 pm
Zero political capital was wasted in trying to bring the Olympics to the United States, and with it, possibly tens of thousands of jobs. It was the right thing to do.
I guess your victories are so few that you have to settle for this.
Pathetic.
By lando October 2, 2009 at 5:36 pm
I’m no fan of Obama, and this certainly can’t be spun positively for him.
However, had Chicago been chosen by the IOC, Obama would have taken ALL the credit.
By Laura Campbell October 2, 2009 at 5:51 pm
This says a lot about how the rest of the world views the U.S. Until our government gets itself together, we will continue to be snubbed by the rest of the world.
For as hard as Obama tries, he is compromising far too much in the financial and military arenas.
With the surge of violence in Chicago, perhaps people believe that he can’t improve the U.S. if he can’t improve and settle issues within his hometown.
Still, it was a worthy pursuit and the loss of potential jobs and the opportunity to improve this country’s reputation is very disappointing.
By victor October 2, 2009 at 6:45 pm
I guess ACORN wasn’t around to stuff the ballot box of the IOC.
By madcock October 2, 2009 at 6:54 pm
This is a great victory for the nation of Brazil and the right-wing in America.
Stunning to listen to talk radio and Fox and hear the cons openly cheering that a foreign city was chosen over an American city, just because it makes Obama look bad.
Can you imagine the disappointment on the Republicans part should Osama Ben Laden be captured or killed by the Obama administration, or the Swine Flu not kill as many Americans as predicted because of an effective vaccination program administered by the Obama administration?
By fran October 2, 2009 at 7:02 pm
NO WE CAN’T!
By No Way! October 2, 2009 at 8:44 pm
I head that slap on the a_s as they put him back on the plane to the United States. No one would want to play in your backyard with all of the crime and out of control gangbangers. Meanwhile, he is endangering our troops. It is a travasty that this boy is our president.
By fran October 2, 2009 at 9:02 pm
madgirl,
Perhaps if Obama wasn’t so arrogant and polarizing the Right would share your disappointment in losing to Rio. However, Obama is running this country like a Bananna Republic, exploiting racial differences and preaching class envy, whilst exponentially increasing the government’s role in every aspect of our lives.
Despite your lurid fantasies, all the Americans I know hope and pray that OBL is captured ASAP, that we win in Afghanistan ASAP, and that the Swine Flu doesn’t kill any more people.
I’m sick of a president who blindly clings to his radical ideology but forgets that over 45 million Americans didn’t vote for him. Maybe this rejection will humble the president.
I doubt it.
By mw October 2, 2009 at 10:24 pm
Did this ass really refer to the POTUS as boy?
By RHETTBUTLER October 2, 2009 at 11:56 pm
HAHAHAHAHA!!!!! I love this! MADGIRL…you said BANANA!!!! You must be Racist! Anyway. Let’s see….Chicago…or Rio…that is like saying Greenville or Pelion!!!!! Come on people, it was lost cause to begin with. Mr. Obama was not there to bring jobs to the US, he has a welfare system that pays people not to work, look at the ascending unemployment and the descending claims! It is all going according to plan. He just had to stay in the spotlight for a few days before some of his Generals resigned because he is running the war in Afghanistan poorly. Thanks for running this story because it will be shoveled under the rug by Monday morning. Just look at Thestate.com this morning….football and a story about SC State..(Go figure)…Look at WLTX.com…Obama’s welfare is obviously not enough so they are stealing from CVS…dont blame me, look at the picture.
By Mike Honcho October 3, 2009 at 12:28 am
Ah, some on the right are sopping up this Olympics thing like biscuits and gravy.
It’s not like there is a series of debates going on in Washington about mortgaging the next generation after the next generation and expanding government.
No, go right ahead and high five each other because Barrack Obama took a trip to pitch the US for the Olympic Games. Keep it classy, San Diego.
By PasserBy October 3, 2009 at 12:29 am
I’m glad Chicago didn’t get the Olympics. The last couple of Olympics have had huge cost-overruns, and I know who’d foot the bill WHEN the ChicagOlympics went “over budget….again”. That’s a couple hundred million we won’t lose, IMO.
By Harvey October 3, 2009 at 8:17 am
Dear Mr. O,
Chin up!
Don’t fret over the IOC decision.
As you know, I’ve invested billions in Brazil, so it was only logical that the IOC would see things my way.
Chin up!
Focus on the domestic agenda: through parlamentarian ju-jitsu you will have socialized medicine within the fortnight.
You will have power over life and death.
You will have conquered another 18% of the U.S. economy.
What more could a statist desire?
Fondly,
George Soros
P.S.-I’ve enclosed 50 pounds of Michelle’s favorite Iranian cavier–she and Operah can eat through this together…
P.P.S-I’ve already built a beautiful high-rise in Rio overlooking the games–you and Michelle already have your personal 2,000 square foot suite
Toodles!
By sid October 3, 2009 at 11:12 am
I’m really looking forward to the next three years, when every time Barry drops the ball, the radical left comes running to his defense. And he’s going to drop it, many times. But before you go claiming I’m some sort of “right-wing America hater,” it is my opinion that when Barry’s agenda fails, America wins. And I often support/vote for Ds.
But back to the Olympics. He wears the jacket on this one, for the most part. Chicago was a favorite, he guaranteed (what an idiotic move) Chicago would win, then he showed up after his wife and O did some preliminary lobbying, and the end result was last place. That’s mostly on Barry, even if there are other reasons. The perception (which is what counts) was Barry got snubbed.
I find it slightly amusing that there are some on the left who are actually trying to blame Bush for the loss. Apparently, Barry’s game plan is to allow his supporters to label anyone who disgrees with him as racist, then let them blame Bush for every failure. Slightly amusing, but mostly sad.
By Pat Hendrix October 3, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Readiig this board is unbelievable. First, knuckleheads, just because Fox News and the Drudge Report breathlessly report some kid was killed before this decision doesn’t mean that Chicago is Baghdad. Chicago is a great town. And if you think Rio has less crime, then I suggest you leave the friendly confines of your SC and visit. It has street violence that Chicago couldn’t touch.
This sort of sad gloating is the reason you will not be able to captitalize on the relative failure of the democratic party. You have no ideas, just angry, nonsensical talking points. Acorn, banana republic, welfare, blah, blah, blah. If you ever fortified your bullshit with more than simple antecdotes “Acorn stuffs ballot boxes” “everybody I know…” “Everybody is on welfare…” then you might be taken seriously. Of course it’s all complete nonsense. Your taxes have not gone up. There has been no expansion of welfare. And the debt is largely systemic, caused by years of reckless spending and tax cuts during the Bush Adminstration. Even TARP was passed during the last adminstration.
That’s why you are reduced to gloating about an American city not getting the Olympics. You have nothing else.
By Natasha October 3, 2009 at 1:48 pm
I’ll agree w/ Pat on the crime thing. If you think Rio is safer, talk to my friend(s) held at gun point in a cab driver shake down…No one should be gloating over the US not getting this period. Brazil made a great argument…
By No Way! October 3, 2009 at 1:51 pm
I could not agree more with the posts above. When Barry fails, American wins! That is a great way to look at it. I hope he keeps up a strong record of failure until we can vote him out in 2012!
By Just another Joe October 3, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Way to go Pat.
By Constant Gina October 3, 2009 at 5:41 pm
This is an obvious decision…who would choose Chicago over Rio De Janero?? wtf
By LF October 3, 2009 at 9:45 pm
Why was he even there?!?! First, he wouldn’t have gone in the first place if he didn’t think it was in the bag. Secondly, many observers speculated that Obama’s presence would prompt the IOC to assert its independence from political persuasion(in other words, it’s possible that Obama hurt the cause rather than helped it.)
Thirdly, I’m trying to remember the last time I read this blog and Pat Hendrix wasn’t saying something stupid.
By sid October 4, 2009 at 2:22 am
Pat,
you must be hitting your meds extra hard to come up with that delusional post. Barry has given those who oppose his policies plenty to work with. Like, why can’t he seem to get much of his agenda done when his party has a strangle hold (for now) on both chambers of Congress? Or, why can’t his administration properly vet candidates for positions, so he can avoid embarrassments like Daschle and Van Jones? And the fact that he hasn’t raised taxes or expanded welfare is probably because he is both unable to do those things (even though he likely wants to), and he wants to get reelected in 2012 and minimize what will surely be D loses in 2010. Furthermore, we’re not gloating because “an American city” didn’t get the Olympics. We’re gloating because it was HIS city, and he GUARANTEED it would be picked. Oh, and the word is anecdote, knucklehead.
By No Way! October 4, 2009 at 9:33 am
Pat,
He didn’t go there thinking it was in the bag. He went there thinking that his ego and grandour would win the Olympics for Chicago. He probably owes Mayor Daley some favor and had to do it. Who knows? I am just saying that we know the following about Obama:
1. He links himself with some of the most despicable individuals and organizations (Acorn, ect.) – P.S. Acorn predicted to disappear soon!
2. He does not support our troops in the field. Large battle yesterday with 8 casualities. Commanders need troops and are requesting them. He wants “to think about it”. What a smart move. I agree with thinking, but he can’t be flying all over the world and stating we will wait weeks to make that decision. This clearly defines the difference in a man and a boy. He has the experience and actions of a boy when we need the leadership of a man. So yes, he is a boy.
3. He had done very little coming into office (named some post offices, given speeches, ect.). Thus, his current failures could have been predicted as he has no experience. Would you want him to fly an airplane if he only knows where the wings are? His experience thus far is equally as lacking.
By icterus October 4, 2009 at 5:31 pm
NO WAY,
Is is possible that Obama is so focused on overhauling our medical system that he is intentionally “dragging out” the Afghan “decision” until enough American soldiers die that even the public will scream for the passage of Obama’s health care bill?
Obama has made it clear that he wants his health care overhaul to pass before making a decision on Afghanistan. It seems Obama may in fact be holding our own troops hostage until his health care bill passes.
By No Way! October 4, 2009 at 8:32 pm
You may have a point. He is staking everything on this Health Care Reform Bill. I pray that this will be his second major defeat!