NYT: For Obama, An Unsuccessful Campaign ["He Could Not Even Muster The Silver Or Bronze"]

NYTimes ^ | October 02nd 2009

[Steelfish]

For Obama, An Unsuccessful Campaign

By PETER BAKER October 2, 2009

COPENHAGEN — President Obama not only failed to bring home the gold, he could not even muster the silver or bronze.

A dramatic 20-hour mission across the ocean to persuade the International Olympic Committee to give the 2016 Summer Games to Chicago proved such a miscalculation that his adopted hometown finished fourth of four candidate cities.

Rarely has a president put his credibility on the line on the world stage in such a personal way and been slapped down so sharply in real time. While Chicago may have lost to Rio de Janeiro for all sorts of reasons that had nothing to do with Mr. Obama, the fact that he made himself the face of the city’s bid invariably meant it would be taken as a stinging rejection of its favorite son.

The defeat will be used as a political metaphor and raise painful questions. Why did he invest so much time, taxpayer money and, perhaps most important, presidential prestige in a losing effort? How did he misjudge the potential vote so badly that Chicago evidently was not even in the top tier? What does it say about a leader who may be far more popular abroad than his predecessor yet has trouble converting that esteem into tangible benefits for the United States?

The rejection of Mr. Obama’s plea for Chicago came at a time when he could have used a feel-good victory. After racking up legislative and policy successes in the early months of his presidency, he has entered a phase where progress is more difficult. He has run into turbulence trying to pass health care, climate change and financial regulation legislation, and his poll ratings have slipped notably since spring.

[silverleaf]

Now he can return to his fulltime job of losing American prosperity and losing the war in Afghanistan.

[nj patriot]

“JACKASS’

[Dallas59]

[Eric in the Ozarks]

20 hours devoted to Chicago's Olympic hopes. 25 minutes for the general leading the war on terror.
Something's deeply wrong here...

[rocksblues]

As he couldn’t be bothered to talk about Iran with Allies or talk to the General about Afghanistan I would like to see what exactly is being shipped back in the cargo hold of Air Force 1?

[Paladin2]

So much for Zer0 being the MAN to resurrect the US butt in the international arena.

[5Madman2]

But he got the Gold in FAIL!!!

:)

[mmichaels1970]

Before leaving Washington, Mrs. Obama made clear how seriously the first couple took the matter, saying “the gloves are off” and they would “take no prisoners.”

Ooopsie. Maybe in "take no prisoners" she was talking about Guantanamo Bay?

[Moose4]

BWAAAHAHAHA! That is awesome! WTG Brasil!

}:-)4

[bravotu]

Can You Say;

Epic FAIL!

[Berlin_Freeper]

[Steelfish]

Super-creative! says it all.

[catbertz]

Haha that guy really looks like him. So many bad ideas filling my head right now...

[Freddd]

Wow if this is how michele ‘takes no prisoners’, we are going to be o.k. after all!!

[Mr. Lucky]

Much like Jimmy Carter, while Mr. Obama may be more popular abroad than Mr. Bush, he is not as respected. Given the choice, I would rather the President be respected by the international community than be popular with it.

[Coldwater Creek]

Not only, was he unsuccessful in getting the Olympics, but the trip probably cost taxpayers upwards of 20 mil.

[colorado tanker]

Wow, even the New York Times is piling on.

[Hawes]

has any other president done this? I tried to google to see if any previous presidents have made themselves the pitch guy for a cities bid for the Olympics

[Sacajaweau]

Obama needs drama to survive....Speech in Germany, his tripS to Hawaii, a date in NY with wifie,

Everything about Obama is "Image"...That very same "virtual world" of which Sarkozy spoke.

The IOC didn't fall on their knees for him!! Thank you Mr. Sarkozy!!