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9/29/2009
Burri takes on Michelle, Barack, Europe and the IOC
Europe – nay, the entire world – cheered the election of President Barack Obama. They wanted him. And they – we – got him.
Now: will that hold any water with the International Olympic Committee?
A senior administration official told the Tribune Washington Bureau this morning that Obama will travel to Copenhagen Thursday night, and return following the Friday meeting. The first lady plans to travel Tuesday, and meet with individual members of the IOC on Wednesday and Thursday to make Chicago's case for the games. The president will join her at the full committee meeting on Friday.
"President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will both make presentations to the IOC during Friday's session,'' the White House press secretary said later this morning, in formally announcing the trip. "They will discuss why Chicago is best to host the 2016 Summer Games, and how the United States is eager to bring the world together to celebrate the ideals of the Olympic movement.'' One does wonder whether this is the best use of the President’s time and the taxpayers’ money, but…well, feh. What am I, racist or something?
Besides, landing the Olympics – the 2016 Summer Olympics, in this case – is a big deal. There’s a lot of prestige involved, and a lot of money. Chicago is one of four cities in contention (with Madrid, Rio de Janeiro, and Tokyo), and President Obama will lay some of his own prestige on the line to influence the IOC.
The first president ever to do so, in fact.
Will it help?
It ought to. Oughtn’t it? The world wanted President Obama – at least, that’s what we were told. “If the free world could choose its leader, it would be Barack Obama.” European infatuation over Obama was almost embarrassing.
Given that infatuation, you’d think the President’s appearance at the IOC would do the trick. The Olympics are as good as ours. Of course, you’d think the First Lady’s appearance would have been enough, too. This last-minute Send-In-the-Ringer move smacks somehow of desperation. As though the White House thinks they need a Big Play to get the job done.
That seems odd.
For my money, it means the deal’s already done. Chicago’s already won, and the President is going to make sure he maximizes the credit.
But let’s pretend things are still up in the air. President Obama is putting his influence in the game, and his prestige on the line. What happens if the IOC chooses somebody else – not Chicago – despite The One’s personal interest?
No, wait, let’s ask a different question first: what if the IOC does choose Chicago, because, come on, it’s Barack Obama! But then us stoopit Amurricuns elect another gunslingin’ Republican in 2012.
A boots-wearing, terrorist-chasing, “World opinion? What’s that?” kind of Republican, who will then have the privilege of playing host to the Games.
Instead of Barack Obama.
That would be sweet. Stick it, world!
Now, back to the previous question: what if the IOC picks somebody else? A city other than Chicago?
Will that be a blow to President Obama’s standing in the world? A blow to U.S. standing in the world? Will pundits wax eloquent, decrying the U.S.’ weakened reputation in Community Earth?
You can’t blame Bush for it, you know. President Obama was supposed to fix all that.
In the grand scheme, whether or not Chicago gets the Olympics, and whether or not President Obama succeeds in swaying the IOC doesn’t really mean much.
But it would be an awful slap in the face to have him travel to Europe – where he’s loved – and get turned down.
Lance Burri blogs regularly via his site, The TrogloPundit.
COMMENTS
Hmmm, I wonder if this might be the BEST possible use of his time, given the alternatives. I would rather see legislatures passing toothless resolutions, for example, than to take that time to further assault our life, liberty and property.
Ken Van Doren (Tue Sep 29 13:00:19 2009)
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