Times of London: Olympic failure will only add to doubts

[wild1]

Obama’s Olympic failure will only add to doubts about his presidency


There has been a growing narrative taking hold about Barack Obama’s presidency in recent weeks: that he is loved by many, but feared by none; that he is full of lofty vision, but is actually achieving nothing with his grandiloquence.

Chicago’s dismal showing today, after Mr Obama’s personal, impassioned last-minute pitch, is a stunning humiliation for this President. It cannot be emphasised enough how this will feed the perception that on the world stage he looks good — but carries no heft.

It was only the Olympic Games, the White House will argue — not a high-stakes diplomatic gamble with North Korea. It is always worthwhile when Mr Obama sells America to the rest of the world, David Axelrod, his chief political adviser, said today. But that argument will fall on deaf ears in the US. Americans want their presidents to be winners.

Mr Obama was greeted — as usual — like a rock star by the IOC delegates in Copenhagen — then humiliated by them. Perception is reality. A narrow defeat for Chicago would have been acceptable — but the sheer scale of the defeat was a bombshell, and is a major blow for Mr Obama at a time when questions are being asked about his style of governance.

At home, it is difficult to turn on a television and not see Mr Obama giving a press conference, or an interview, or at a town hall rally, in his all-out effort to sell his troubled reform the US health insurance system. After three months of enormous exposure, Mr Obama has achieved this: the growing likelihood of ramming a Bill through Congress with — at most — just one Republican vote.

Abroad, Mr Obama promised in his Inauguration address to engage America’s enemies, and he has done just that. He has very little to show for it. Yes, Iran took part in bilateral talks with the US this week over its nuclear weapons programme — but that is something Tehran has wanted for years. There is still a very good chance that the meetings will prove to be an exercise in futility and a time-wasting ploy by Tehran.

Mr Obama also scrapped a plan for a missile defence shield in the Czech Republic and Poland, hoping to get in return Russian co-operation behind new sanctions against Tehran. There was optimism when President Medvedev said “sanctions are seldom productive, but they are sometimes inevitable”. Yet Vladimir Putin, and the Chinese, remain fiercely opposed to sanctions.

Meanwhile, America and its allies are being forced to witness a very public agonising by Mr Obama and his advisers over his Afghan strategy — six months after he announced that strategy.

This has all added to the perception that Mr Obama’s soaring rhetoric — which captured the imagination during last year’s election — is simply not enough when it comes to confronting the myriad challenges of the presidency. His spectacular Olympic failure will only add to that.

[wild1]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6859031.ece

[HonestChieffan]

Oh come on they got 14 votes

[memyselfI]

Obama’s Olympic failure will only add to doubts about his presidency


he is loved by many, but feared by none.



Teddy bear in chief. ROFL

[KCWolfman]

Teddy bear in chief. ROFL

I believe Paper Tiger is the correct term.

[memyselfI]

I believe Paper Tiger is the correct term.

People don't get the warm fuzzies from paper tigers. :D

[Amnorix]

I really can't quite fathom what this Olympic business was all about. To me, it was something that should have been in the bag before he even went, or else he risks making the Presidential office look a bit ridiculous, which is exactly what happened.

And if it's in the bag, then honestly, he shouldn't be wasting his time.

Sending former President Clinton to NK on something that was already a done deal before his plane ever left to bring back those girls that stupidly got themselves in trouble is how you do marketing correctly (and I give the Obama Administration credit for this -- not saying the Clintons know how the do it and Obama doesn't), and this meanwhile is the exact opposite. WTF?

[HolmeZz]

I really can't quite fathom what this Olympic business was all about. To me, it was something that should have been in the bag before he even went, or else he risks making the Presidential office look a bit ridiculous, which is exactly what happened.

And if it's in the bag, then honestly, he shouldn't be wasting his time.

Sending former President Clinton to NK on something that was already a done deal before his plane ever left to bring back those girls that stupidly got themselves in trouble is how you do marketing correctly (and I give the Obama Administration credit for this -- not saying the Clintons know how the do it and Obama doesn't), and this meanwhile is the exact opposite. WTF?

The leaders of the other 3 countries went. I don't think Obama or the USOC thought they were going to win(which is why Obama wasn't going to go as recently as a few weeks ago), but the price of not going and having it look like they lost because he didn't was far greater than the one they're dealing with now.

[wild1]

I believe Paper Tiger is the correct term.

A paper tiger looks scary, but isn't.

We haven't risen to the level of him being a paper tiger yet.

[BigRedChief]

The leaders of the other 3 countries went. I don't think Obama or the USOC thought they were going to win(which is why Obama wasn't going to go as recently as a few weeks ago), but the price of not going and having it look like they lost because he didn't was far greater than the one they're dealing with now.
No chit, he doesn't go and they lose, the spin is he's a poor advocate for America. He should have done something.

[Donger]

The leaders of the other 3 countries went. I don't think Obama or the USOC thought they were going to win(which is why Obama wasn't going to go as recently as a few weeks ago), but the price of not going and having it look like they lost because he didn't was far greater than the one they're dealing with now.

I don't believe that the Japanese PM went, did he?

[HonestChieffan]

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PxZyE6Jgabo/SsYJKRdCTLI/AAAAAAAAIe0/7zlJSsPo1A0/s400/theo3.gif

[HolmeZz]

I don't believe that the Japanese PM went, did he?

He did.

http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Sports/Story/A1Story20091002-171417.html

[wild1]

No chit, he doesn't go and they lose, the spin is he's a poor advocate for America. He should have done something.

Nobody would have even noticed another country being selected, if they hadn't tried to pump up this story to get him some desperately needed positive press.

[Donger]

He did.

http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Sports/Story/A1Story20091002-171417.html

Hmmm. I guess he should feel worse than Obama. He had to travel farther, after all.

[patteeu]

A paper tiger looks scary, but isn't.

We haven't risen to the level of him being a paper tiger yet.

So true.

[Amnorix]

The leaders of the other 3 countries went. I don't think Obama or the USOC thought they were going to win(which is why Obama wasn't going to go as recently as a few weeks ago), but the price of not going and having it look like they lost because he didn't was far greater than the one they're dealing with now.

Really? Has any President gone to make this kind of pitch before? If so, I can't recall it.

and not to denigrate the other countries of the world, but when we hold ourselves out as the leaders of the free world, you'd think our own leader would need to at least seem to be above a rather base sales pitch job.

[vailpass]

The leaders of the other 3 countries went. I don't think Obama or the USOC thought they were going to win(which is why Obama wasn't going to go as recently as a few weeks ago), but the price of not going and having it look like they lost because he didn't was far greater than the one they're dealing with now.

America doesn't follow, we lead. At least we used to.

[KCWolfman]

Really? Has any President gone to make this kind of pitch before? If so, I can't recall it.

and not to denigrate the other countries of the world, but when we hold ourselves out as the leaders of the free world, you'd think our own leader would need to at least seem to be above a rather base sales pitch job.

You are talking about a POTUS who went on a talk show while in office.

[patteeu]

The leaders of the other 3 countries went. I don't think Obama or the USOC thought they were going to win(which is why Obama wasn't going to go as recently as a few weeks ago), but the price of not going and having it look like they lost because he didn't was far greater than the one they're dealing with now.

I don't agree. No one would have held it against the president if he had decided that he had too much on his plate (serious economic issues at home, Iranian nukes on the horizon, and a war drifting into chaos in Afghanistan) to take a trip halfway around the world to spend his valuable time trying to bring an Olympics home. The announcement of Rio winning the competition would have come out of the blue for most people and wouldn't have even raised an eyebrow.

[Amnorix]

You are talking about a POTUS who went on a talk show while in office.

That I actually have little problem with. It's the nature of hte office to evolve in a way that gets closer to the people, or seems to. For nearly the first hundred years of our country it was deemed unseemly for candidates to actually participate in their own campaigns.

I think Obama is trying to distinguish himself from Bush by being more open, accessible and visible. Bush was viewed as more insular and isolated, with far fewer press conferences, for example, than prior presidents.

[HolmeZz]

Really? Has any President gone to make this kind of pitch before? If so, I can't recall it.

and not to denigrate the other countries of the world, but when we hold ourselves out as the leaders of the free world, you'd think our own leader would need to at least seem to be above a rather base sales pitch job.

The way to change the perception that we're pompous and arrogant is to not have our President dignify the IOC with an appearance, when the other 3 countries have their leaders on the ground making pitches? How would that kind of attitude ever bode well for us getting the games?

[BigRedChief]

America doesn't follow, we lead. At least we used to.
I want my America back!
http://progressivenation.us/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/my-america-back-toon.jpg

[Donger]

The way to change the perception that we're pompous and arrogant is to not have our President dignify the IOC with an appearance, when the other 3 countries have their leaders on the ground making pitches? How would that kind of attitude ever bode well for us getting the games?

I'd rather be pompous and arrogant than weak and apologetic. Obama seems to have the amazing ability to be all four simultaneously.

[Amnorix]

The way to change the perception that we're pompous and arrogant is to not have our President dignify the IOC with an appearance, when the other 3 countries have their leaders on the ground making pitches? How would that kind of attitude ever bode well for us getting the games?

Not to be snotty or whatever, but I really just don't see the POTUS kowtowing to the IOC to get the games. While there is some international prestige associated with them, etc., it's not as much as it was in times past, and it's not that big an economic boost or anything.

Send the SecState. Send the VP. Send the Commerce Secretary. Send all three. But the POTUS? And then have him walk away empty-handed? I just don't see it.

[Amnorix]

I'd rather be pompous and arrogant than weak and apologetic. Obama seems to have the amazing ability to be all four simultaneously.

Only because you view every action he takes in the worst possible light, and disagree with 90% or whatever of his political positions.

[HolmeZz]

I don't agree. No one would have held it against the president if he had decided that he had too much on his plate (serious economic issues at home, Iranian nukes on the horizon, and a war drifting into chaos in Afghanistan)

That's not true and you know it. If Obama had not gone to bat for the country like the other leaders did and Chicago came in 4th, he'd absolutely be getting killed for it.

to take a trip halfway around the world to spend his valuable time trying to bring an Olympics home.

I could be mistaken, but I still believe he was President for the 12 or so hours he was gone. It's not like he doesn't have a plane with everything he needs on it. I'm sure he was doing absolutely nothing on the way over and on the way back.

The announcement of Rio winning the competition would have come out of the blue for most people and wouldn't have even raised an eyebrow.

Yeah, no one at all was paying attention to the olympic bid before Obama finally made the decision to go. Seriously, what f*cking planet do some of you live on?

[Donger]

Only because you view every action he takes in the worst possible light, and disagree with 90% or whatever of his political positions.

So far, I have no reason to view him in any other light. If he were actually governing from the center, I think you know that I wouldn't have this view. Unfortunately, he is not.

[Donger]

I could be mistaken, but I still believe he was President for the 12 or so hours he was gone. It's not like he doesn't have a plane with everything he needs on it. I'm sure he was doing absolutely nothing on the way over and on the way back.

I read that he gave McChrystal 25 minutes aboard AF1. That was nice of him.

[HolmeZz]

Not to be snotty or whatever, but I really just don't see the POTUS kowtowing to the IOC to get the games. While there is some international prestige associated with them, etc., it's not as much as it was in times past, and it's not that big an economic boost or anything.

Send the SecState. Send the VP. Send the Commerce Secretary. Send all three. But the POTUS? And then have him walk away empty-handed? I just don't see it.

That still strikes me as pompous. Spain and Japan also went home "empty-handed". It happens.

[KCWolfman]

The way to change the perception that we're pompous and arrogant is to not have our President dignify the IOC with an appearance, when the other 3 countries have their leaders on the ground making pitches? How would that kind of attitude ever bode well for us getting the games?

Well thank goodness that worked, then.

Nothing more to see here, move along.

[HolmeZz]

Well thank goodness that worked, then.

Nothing more to see here, move along.

THE WORLD REVOLVES AROUND US. THINGS MUST ALWAYS GO THE WAY WE WANT.

[patteeu]

That's not true and you know it. If Obama had not gone to bat for the country like the other leaders did and Chicago came in 4th, he'd absolutely be getting killed for it.



I could be mistaken, but I still believe he was President for the 12 or so hours he was gone. It's not like he doesn't have a plane with everything he needs on it. I'm sure he was doing absolutely nothing on the way over and on the way back.



Yeah, no one at all was paying attention to the olympic bid before Obama finally made the decision to go. Seriously, what f*cking planet do some of you live on?

I really don't agree with you at all on this. Seriously.

[RaiderH8r]

Obama's media machine needed a positive news story out of this and Chicago was viewed as one of the two finalists. They opportunistically hopped on board AF1 and took their world citizen to Copenhagen to make his pitch figuring, at worst, they'd come in second and they could take that as a win while congratulating SA and Rio for their victory and having their first Olympics and that would be that. The IOC fingered Barry O, made him look like a chump. This story is page 2 stuff if Barry doesn't go. He goes and now it is page 1 top of the fold stuff. Maybe this will be a cheap lesson in foreign diplomacy for President BarryO Naivte'.

[KCWolfman]

THE WORLD REVOLVES AROUND US. THINGS MUST ALWAYS GO THE WAY WE WANT.

Even better, let's run a huge circus sideshow saying what a good job we are doing. Get it going like a bad car sale complete with balloons, banners, dancing chimpanzees, and a chicken that can beat you at tic tac toe.

Then look like a fool when it falls apart.

[wild1]

I read that he gave McChrystal 25 minutes aboard AF1. That was nice of him.

Only because he was taking criticism in the press for ignoring him.

[memyselfI]

All hat no cattle...just like regular.

[vailpass]

I want my America back!
http://progressivenation.us/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/my-america-back-toon.jpg

Wanting America to lead, to decide our own course from a position of strength without needing to test the wind is an ignorant view equal to those held by the deep south during the time of slavery. Is that what you are saying here?

[vailpass]

THE WORLD REVOLVES AROUND US. THINGS MUST ALWAYS GO THE WAY WE WANT.

Remind me: how old are you? Do you work? Are you a student? Do you own a house, live on your own, or live with your parents?

[HolmeZz]

You're going to set off BEP's ad hominem detector.

[vailpass]

You're going to set off BEP's ad hominem detector.

That's what I thought. Have a nice day junior.

[HolmeZz]

BEEP BEEP BEEP

[Donger]

I was just reading that Obama is "disappointed" about losing and that he is indeed the first POTUS to make an in-person appeal.

[vailpass]

BEEP BEEP BEEP

Is that your mom's microwave going off? Does she have your spaghettios done?

[HolmeZz]

s'ghettios are a sore subject around these parts, bub