Campaigning for the Olympics is bad?

[julius]

So, Bush going to the Olympics for 4 days and doing nothing, got nothing from Republicans..but Obama going to petition for the Olympics in the US (Chicago) in 2016, for less than 1 day, is bad?

And creating jobs in Chicago, for all the construction of venues in the great lakes area, is a bad thing?

I know the left and the right often times pick stupid things to bitch about (politicals I mean, not people), but this is just flat out dumb.

 

[julius]

I think campaigning was a poor choice of words on my part. But I couldn't come up with a better word to describe it off the top of my head.

 

[Rodolfo]

link?

 

[julius]

link?

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0909/27742.html

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0909/27699.html

 

[BTOWN_HUSTLA]

Why doesn't he just Twitter the Olympic committee? I thought that was what Barack was all about!

 

[Rodolfo]

All I have to say is...

 

[BTOWN_HUSTLA]

star-tac! G-dubb rollin' hard!

 

[BTOWN_HUSTLA]

[hannity]basically what this all is that Obama is paying back the crooked chicago establishment that brought him to the national stage and the presidency. if they do get the bid, contracts will go to "friends" and politician friends..basically he will make Al Capone look like the maytag repair man. [/hannity]

 

[Rodolfo]

star-tac! G-dubb rollin' hard!

lol, that phone was the shiznit when it came out though!

 

[BlazerWookee]

This is an honest, sincere question, please don't read anything into it: Are there other US cities actively vying for the Olympics?

 

[julius]

This is an honest, sincere question, please don't read anything into it: Are there other US cities actively vying for the Olympics?

Houston and Philadelphia were eliminated by the USOC; San Francisco withdrew when it lost its Olympic Stadium funding and Los Angeles lost to Chicago for the bid.

I doubt Chicago will win (which will just further prove how much of a 'waste' it was for Obama to do it... ), and I bet Tokyo wins.

 

[BrianFromWA]

I don't get Fox...was there somewhere where this was put in a bad light?

 

[mook]

David Broder wrote an interesting piece on it:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/30/AR2009093003570.html

I'm astonished that some carping critics have faulted Obama for making the 18-hour excursion to Copenhagen to schmooze the IOC members, who on Friday will decide among Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo, Madrid and Chicago. Tip O'Neill taught a previous generation that all politics is local, and this is the best favor the president could possibly do for his adopted home town
...
Chicago has the edge on Tokyo, which already has hosted the Olympics. As for Madrid, the 2012 games will be in London, and there's no good reason Europe should have the honors twice in a row. But Rio has a strong case, not just because of its beauty and the growing economic clout of Brazil but also because South America has never had the Olympics.
The only Olympics insider I know (my oldest son, George, who was a staff member at the Los Angeles Games) told me Sunday, before Obama agreed to make the trip, that the scuttlebutt favored Rio's bid, in part on the equity argument and in part because the Brazilian president was committed to lobbying in Copenhagen.
Now, no one will have a more powerful delegation on the scene than Chicago: the president, first lady Michelle Obama, two Illinois-based Cabinet members, Obama's chief campaign fundraiser -- and Oprah Winfrey.

Brazil makes a lot of sense to me. Seems like the US gets the olympics too often--LA, Atlanta, Salt Lake City. From a strictly parochial perspective, sure it'd be nice to have it here again. I don't begrudge Obama trying to seal the deal at all.

 

[maxiep]

Historically, the Olympics have been funded by the cities themselves and the private corporations set up to run them. Valerie Jarrett was a lobbyist for the Chicago 2016 Olympic Games effort, and she's President Obama's Karl Rove. David Axelrod also worked on the Chicago's effort. The Chicago Political Machine has also been a huge backer of President Obama. Furthermore, there has been a discussion of the Federal Government offering subsidies to the City of Chicago to help them defray the costs of Olympic games. A lot of the people who would benefit financially from the Olympic Games have also been financial backers of President Obama's political ambitions.

In other words, it's tough to discern when President Obama is acting like Head of State or when he's acting as a lobbyist for his friends. All I know is no sitting president has ever lobbied the IOC to bring the Olympics to thier country, much less their hometown. Furthermore, I don't like paying for two separate planes to fly the President and the First Lady to personally pitch the Olympics in Chicago. I wonder what we would think if a president flew abroad to pitch why the US should get some piece of business for a private entity?

 

[Colonel Ronan]

All I have to say is...

OMG!!1! DEFAULT THIS ONE GEORGE!!!!

 

[boatsandstars]

Valerie Jarrett was a lobbyist for the Chicago 2016 Olympic Games effort, and she's President Obama's Karl Rove.

Fail. There is no equivalent to Karl Rove. But hey link someone you oppose to someone truly bad, never seen that before...

David Axelrod also worked on the Chicago's effort.

Imagine that, someone who worked, lived and was educated in a city wants a huge event to come to said city, oh the controversy. Hey, he went to the U of C, are you guys BFFs as well? Let's hear about your degree. I'm impressed already.

The Chicago Political Machine has also been a huge backer of President Obama.

Shock! Horror! Other than the fact that you've made something intangible into a proper noun, I can't imagine people from a city supporting other people from the same city as they try to run for president. So, where is the Chicago Political Machine homepage? Have they trademarked the name? Link? Call David Brooks, ask him.

Furthermore, there has been a discussion of the Federal Government offering subsidies to the City of Chicago to help them defray the costs of Olympic games.

Careful everyone, according to the boards more reliable poster, there is a potential that something theoretical might have the option of being given, down the line... PICKET! TEA PARTY!

A lot of the people who would benefit financially from the Olympic Games have also been financial backers of President Obama's political ambitions.

Again, just shocked that people in Chicago might support TWO things in Chicago! What nerve. But since you don't have names or, say, proof, that this has happened (it hasn't) and can't predict what will happen (don't have a degree in that), it's just fearful speculation.. that all of these "backers" are going to get all of this work because they donated campaign money and not because they work in an applicable field, or have won the business or whatever... but that's cart before the horseshit because you have no examples.

In other words, it's tough to discern when President Obama is acting like Head of State or when he's acting as a lobbyist for his friends.

No it's not. I would suggest more schooling to figure it out.

All I know is no sitting president has ever lobbied the IOC to bring the Olympics to thier country, much less their hometown.

I mean, what are the fucking odds? That is a dumb comment. Wait, are we also agreeing in Conservative land that Obama is no longer from Kenya or Muslimania. Remember internet trolls and talk show hosts, always use the most convenient location depending on the smear.

Furthermore, I don't like paying for two separate planes to fly the President and the First Lady to personally pitch the Olympics in Chicago.

Wow, they billed you directly for that? You are so important.

I wonder what we would think if a president flew abroad to pitch why the US should get some piece of business for a private entity?

Yawn.

 

[maxiep]

Fail. There is no equivalent to Karl Rove. But hey link someone you oppose to someone truly bad, never seen that before...



Imagine that, someone who worked, lived and was educated in a city wants a huge event to come to said city, oh the controversy. Hey, he went to the U of C, are you guys BFFs as well? Let's hear about your degree. I'm impressed already.




Shock! Horror! Other than the fact that you've made something intangible into a proper noun, I can't imagine people from a city supporting other people from the same city as they try to run for president. So, where is the Chicago Political Machine homepage? Have they trademarked the name? Link? Call David Brooks, ask him.



Careful everyone, according to the boards more reliable poster, there is a potential that something theoretical might have the option of being given, down the line... PICKET! TEA PARTY!




Again, just shocked that people in Chicago might support TWO things in Chicago! What nerve. But since you don't have names or, say, proof, that this has happened (it hasn't) and can't predict what will happen (don't have a degree in that), it's just fearful speculation.. that all of these "backers" are going to get all of this work because they donated campaign money and not because they work in an applicable field, or have won the business or whatever... but that's cart before the horseshit because you have no examples.




No it's not. I would suggest more schooling to figure it out.




I mean, what are the fucking odds? That is a dumb comment. Wait, are we also agreeing in Conservative land that Obama is no longer from Kenya or Muslimania. Remember internet trolls and talk show hosts, always use the most convenient location depending on the smear.




Wow, they billed you directly for that? You are so important.






Yawn.

I never realized how much I own you. Get over me.

 

[mook]

Wait, are we also agreeing in Conservative land that Obama is no longer from Kenya or Muslimania. Remember internet trolls and talk show hosts, always use the most convenient location depending on the smear.

lol. Obama's hometown seems to be whatever place paints him in the worst light.

I never realized how much I own you. Get over me.

I thought he raised some pretty valid points. He sounded pretty snide about it, but I thought there was a lot of meat to his post. Kind of disappointed you resorted to a one-line personal attack to defend your statements.

 

[SodaPopinski]

All I know is no sitting president has ever lobbied the IOC to bring the Olympics to thier country, much less their hometown.

The president of Brazil is going to Copenhagen to lobby for Rio de Janiero. King of Spain is going to lobby for Madrid.

 

[maxiep]

lol. Obama's hometown seems to be whatever place paints him in the worst light.



I thought he raised some pretty valid points. He sounded pretty snide about it, but I thought there was a lot of meat to his post. Kind of disappointed you resorted to a one-line personal attack to defend your statements.

I suggest you read more of boatsandstars posts. There's context to my response. The bottom line is that he's not worth responding to because he's not interested in discourse. I guess I'll have to live with your disappointment.

 

[mook]

The president of Brazil is going to Copenhagen to lobby for Rio de Janiero. King of Spain is going to lobby for Madrid.

Yup. Given how the midwest economy has been going, you can see why it might be something to lift people's spirits.

If you are like maxie and think that everything Obama's done so far has actually hurt our economy, I can't really understand why he'd complain about Obama a) getting out of the country for a few days where he could presumably do less damage and b) doing something that will unequivocally create some jobs if he succeeds. Seems like a win-win.

 

[mook]

I guess I'll have to live with your disappointment.

In time it may grow easier. For now just get lots of rest and drink plenty of water.

 

[maxiep]

The president of Brazil is going to Copenhagen to lobby for Rio de Janiero. King of Spain is going to lobby for Madrid.

Why do we have to act the same as other countries' leaders? Which of our other presidents have done it? Also, Rio's and Madrid's bids are federally government-sponsored. Ours is locally based. Is the US citizenry going to pay for Chicago's bid?

What if Dick Cheney had flown to Saudi Arabia to pitch Halliburton for his former colleagues on the Government's dime?

 

[maxiep]

Yup. Given how the midwest economy has been going, you can see why it might be something to lift people's spirits.

First, saying Chicago represents the Midwest is like saying we're bummed on the West Coast, so let's root for something great to happen in LA. Second, if you want to lift peoples' spirits, give them something that isn't going to cost them money down the line in taxes to fund the projected shortfalls.

If you are like maxie and think that everything Obama's done so far has actually hurt our economy, I can't really understand why he'd complain about Obama a) getting out of the country for a few days where he could presumably do less damage and b) doing something that will unequivocally create some jobs if he succeeds. Seems like a win-win.

First, I haven't said EVERYTHING President Obama has done so far has hurt the economy. I have specificially addressed my issues with his policies. Do you really believe that I see what President Obama is proposing and then immediately oppose it? If so, there's no need to read or respond to my posts. Vaya con Dios. You and I have different opinions, but I've never ascribed to you the label of unthinking hater.

Second, you have to learn the difference between work and a job. Ask Montreal how much the Olympics meant to them in terms of jobs--they're still paying off their debt from 1976.

 

[yakbladder]

Meh.. I hope Rio gets it. Most of the Olympic venues that I know of become relics that no one wants to deal with. There are a few exceptions. I'd be interested to see some web material that shows the cost/benefit from an objective standpoint of what Olympics bring to a city.

On the other hand re: Rio - I know Brazil has made strides but as I recall Rio is composed of a few tiny good neighborhoods and a bunch of really violent, gang-infested, drug-infested neighborhoods. Let the LA jokes commence.

 

[maxiep]

Meh.. I hope Rio gets it. Most of the Olympic venues that I know of become relics that no one wants to deal with. There are a few exceptions. I'd be interested to see some web material that shows the cost/benefit from an objective standpoint of what Olympics bring to a city.

On the other hand re: Rio - I know Brazil has made strides but as I recall Rio is composed of a few tiny good neighborhoods and a bunch of really violent, gang-infested, drug-infested neighborhoods. Let the LA jokes commence.

You must spread some reputation around before giving it to yakbladder again

 

[BTOWN_HUSTLA]

 

[BTOWN_HUSTLA]

 

[maxiep]

Did anyone else watch the presentation by the Chicago delegation? Amateur hour. The videos were crap, too.

 

[BTOWN_HUSTLA]

watching it now. holy crap, this shit sucks. what is this, the 1970s?

I hope they're at least getting Michael Jordan to pimp it out.

Hey, look at our fucking colleges! we'll work with you! we have nameless companies to help you! we will work with you!

the chairman for the committee sucks ass. like a boring HS administrator or something. they seem painfully unprepared for this presentation. just a personal observation.