Our President and the Olympics

President Obama drew sharp criticism from Republican leaders for immersing himself in Chicago's effort to capture its bid for the 2016 Olympics.

"Our country needs the president's undivided attention on the urgent issues facing American families today: rising unemployment, soaring health care costs, winning the war in Afghanistan and dealing with Iran's nuclear threat," Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele said.

Despite the criticism, the president decided to travel to the Danish capital to lend his personal popularity and the prestige of his office to his adopted home town's effort. He was the first U.S. president to lobby the Olympic committee. Chicago's swift rejection was a disappointment for Obama and he was subdued when he returned to the White House after his whirlwind trip.

"I believe it is always a worthwhile endeavor to promote and boost the United States of America and invite the world to see what we're all about," he told reporters in the Rose Garden.

I wasn't surprised by the criticism from the opposition. Anything the President does results in attacks from the Republicans. Of course, no one focused on former president George Bush's four day trip to the Olympics. We were still fighting two wars in foreign countries and facing an economic downturn at home. Obviously, the GOP doesn't give a damn about healthcare reform. All they can say is "no".

Daily Beast blogger Mark McKinnon reported shock and disappointment on the comments from conservative radio talk-show host Mark Levin on this issue.
"I was shocked by what I heard. He was spewing streams of hate-filled venom at Obama that were jaw-dropping. His favorite epithet for the president is ”jerk.” And he was reveling in Obama’s failure."

Personally, I was sickened by the obvious glee that Rush Limbaugh displayed over what he considered a personal failure by Obama and we all know by his own statements that he hopes the president fails. Still when all things are considered, the loss was a loss for the United States against a foreign competitor. The jobs and revenue losses were potential American jobs and monies that the heartland could surely have used. For example, a Chicago Olympics would have been a boon for the tourism industry in Milwaukee and for the state of Wisconsin. I marvel at the conservatives insensitivity and lack of support for Chicago, an American city and the country at large.

I admire the president for doing what he thought was right and supporting the cause of an American city in its bid for a potential positive focal point for our country.

I watched the film of the jubilation of the winning city and rejoiced with them in their success. More than 30,000 people gathered on Rio's iconic Copacabana Beach to watch the results on giant televisions. When the final decision came, silvery confetti sprayed out into the crowd, and people hugged, danced, sang and wept. It reminded me of the celebration in Grant Park on election night and of Barack Obama's victory.

Then I thought of the pack of wolves liking their chops at Chicago's loss and mocking the president's efforts to assist. Guess they still can't get over the fact that he is the President of the United States and still are trying to cope with their loss. As the kids at play often say, "to bad, so sad". I say, "get over it."