Chicago loses Olympic Bid

I only put this in Debates b/c I know there will be guff about Obama as well.

I have mixed feelings about Chicago losing. On one hand, I LOVE Chicago and would love for the opportunity to take my family to an Olympic games. On the other hand, the scared-mama-bear in me is thinking PHEW. I mean, what would be a better target for a terrorist than an Olympic games on American soil in our President's hometown?? Also, just logistically, Chicago is already such a crazy, congested place traffic-wise, I just couldn't imagine HOW that was going to work.

As far as the Obama stuff -- I really have no problem with the man climbing into his flying office, flying overnight, making a speech, and then heading back home. I don't think it shifted his focus one bit - and it's not as though he's out of touch when on Air Force One.

[MarissaNicole]

Have they announced officially the winner yet?

Personally I think it would have been a giant MESS to have it in Chicago! Most people don't realize that the homeless flock to the olympics thinking they will be able to find work. My friend helped open and operate various shelters (that had been converted from abandoned warehouses) when the games were in Salt Lake City.

[L.Jane]

I agree with everything you said. While it would have been nice for the economy to have all the influx of people, Chicago would have been CRAZY for crowd control. Hopefully another American city in the future will be able to host.

No - it's down to Rio and Madrid.

[MarissaNicole]

I hope Rio gets it!

[DCJenn]

Every other head fo state went to press their case so to me it's no big deal. Besides he was able to meet w/ Gen. McChrystal while he was there.

As for Chicago itself- I think there are better cities to pick in the US.

I hope Rio gets it because there haven't been any South American countries picked, ever. I think they're due. Although Rio is 1000 time more congested than Chicago.

Jenn

[migirl]

I hope Rio gets it because there haven't been any South American countries picked, ever. I think they're due. Although Rio is 1000 time more congested than Chicago.

I just saw that it's Rio.

My parents own a luxury high-rise condo in downtown Chicago (across the street from Millenium Park, overlooking the Lake ... it's fantastic), we were thinking they could have made a killing with renting it out during the Olympics!

[SuzySunshine]

I'm bummed because A would have been 9 and we would have loved to have taken the kids. Hopefully the US gets a summer olympics sometime before they go to college, I don't know that I'm comfortable taking them to one in a foreign country, especially one that doesn't speak english.

We'd thought about going to London in 2012 but that is the summer DH will be DONE and there just won't be any money for a trip like that.

[lirio]

Rio got it, yay!

[oceanchild]

I'm really glad Brazil gets a chance to show off. Rio is a congested mess compared to Chicago, but big cities the world over have managed to make the Olympics work. Oh, how I would love to go. Wonder how much money we can save between now and 2016?

ETA: They'll have lots of practice since they're hosting the World Cup in 2014.

[GrayMatterWife]

Guess the threatening force of the Chicago politcal thug machine doesn't quite reach to Denmark, huh? He probably just freaking talked them to death, under his profound belief that his image alone was currency. The pied piper should save his fading personal hypnotism for something where it is actually needed. Maybe Iran will take him seriously. Or North Korea. Yeah, he may not be able to convince the IOC, but by sheer virtue of his presence, he should definitely be able to convince our enemies to stop their efforts to become nuclear forces. Just be sure to bring Oprah. She's our new "Hollywood Image" Czar.

Maybe he could sic ACORN on them. They could call the IOC racist. Wait, no, they're busy explaining why facilitation of child prostitution is OK.

[SoonerTexan]

I was born in Chicago and a lot of my family is there--I still have very little love for that city. I'm happy Rio got it--it was high time for S. America to get a chance.

I would like to see it another US city that is more along the lines of Salt Lake City.

Personally, I think Dallas would be great (except it can be a little hot) somewhere down the line, but then again I'm a tad biased

[SuzySunshine]

What happened to the Pro-Obama press? Ever since Chicago got voted down first thing this morning they've just been bashing him - saying it shows he's a better talker then closer.

First off he wouldn't even be president by 2016 and secondly I think it was silly to throw both Obama's and Oprah at it to start with - they can't control everything, as much as some people would like to think otherwise.

[McPants]

First off he wouldn't even be president by 2016 and secondly I think it was silly to throw both Obama's and Oprah at it to start with - they can't control everything, as much as some people would like to think otherwise.

I wouldn't say it was silly. All the other involved countries also had high-profile dignitaries involved in the process. Rio had Pelé and their president Da Silva in Copenhagen and Madrid had their royal family present for instance. Successful bids appear to need the backing of high-profile celebrities and officials.

[SuzySunshine]

But Pele is an athlete, I'm sure there were some high profile athletes on the US bid as well, but Oprah?