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Do IT this week: Layering
Some say president trying to do too much
By Jennifer Loven and Julie Pace
Associated Press
Published on Saturday, Oct 03, 2009
WASHINGTON: OK, so it wasn't health care, climate change or war. Still, President Barack Obama's high-profile failure to win the Olympics for Chicago could feed negative narratives already nipping at his heels — that he's a better talker than closer, more celebrity than statesman.
And this could hamper his efforts on the weightier issues.
Despite Obama's fabled charm and powers of persuasion, his in-person plea for Chicago to host the 2016 Summer Games fell flat. It was a hugely embarrassing defeat. And taxpayers shelled out probably $1 million or more for the president, his wife and others to fly to Copenhagen and back to woo members of the International Olympic Committee.
His adopted hometown — considered a front-runner heading into Friday's voting — didn't just lose, it took last place, shocking nearly all by getting knocked out in the first round while the remaining three contenders moved on.
The defeat could soon be a distant memory, and may never be more than a quixotic-blip trip. But if, for whatever reason, bigger losses start piling up in Obama's corner, his performance in this case could be regarded as emblematic.
Obama tried to put the best face on his trip, saying upon his return to the White House, ''One of the things that I think is most valuable about sports is that you can play a great game and still not win.'' He said he was proud of everyone's effort.
However, almost every aspect of his involvement this week in the Olympics quest recalls a strain of criticism that has been gaining ground on him:
• He's trying to do too much at once. The line is familiar by now: It's nuts for Obama to tackle the dismal economy, the overhaul of two wars, a remaking of the U.S. health-care system and climate change all in one year, and with other difficult issues on the agenda as well.
Even some in Obama's own Democratic Party are beginning to wonder whether he's someone who tries a lot but succeeds at little, and whether he has the sense to focus on the most important things.
• He doesn't have what it takes to close a deal. The why-Chicago-lost story has many contributors, with Obama's last-minute flight to Copenhagen for an emotional appeal probably among the least of them. Regardless, he is now tied inexorably to Chicago's defeat.
• He is a celebrity, for sure, but is that always a good thing?
Remember how Republican John McCain tried to stoke doubts about Obama during last year's presidential campaign by calling him all flash and no pan? A bit of that is in play here, too, where some perceive Obama as arrogantly relying too much on his celebrity status and not enough on the nitty-gritty work of winning votes.
• He's too casual with the use of his own time.
Other White Houses have been more judicious about deploying their most precious resource, the president — doing so only when really needed, and usually only when they know they can win. In hindsight, there was plenty of reason to doubt Chicago's chances.
• He's junior varsity-league, still learning on the job. Will Obama do as poorly predicting how health-care votes are leaning in Congress, and make similarly ill-fated strategic decisions?
Keep in mind: If Obama had not gone to Denmark and Chicago lost, he no doubt would have been blamed for not making an effort.
WASHINGTON: OK, so it wasn't health care, climate change or war. Still, President Barack Obama's high-profile failure to win the Olympics for Chicago could feed negative narratives already nipping at his heels — that he's a better talker than closer, more celebrity than statesman.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Posted 10:23 AM, 10/03/2009
Time take on the role of President of the United States instead of head Cheerleader for the Windy City.
akron, oh
Posted 11:43 AM, 10/03/2009
Let me see...
Your 2 choices are : Chicago OR Rio
Hmmm that's a tough decision...LOL
Canal Fulton, Oh
Posted 05:47 PM, 10/03/2009
The million that was spent on this trip for them ,is making me wonder if he knew him self,how much it costs??
Norton, OH
Posted 09:57 PM, 10/03/2009
Health are issue needs to be solved before all else. United States is immature
Norton, OH
Posted 10:01 PM, 10/03/2009
Just found this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuE60mq0r1Q
clinton, oh
Posted 08:38 AM, 10/04/2009
The true Power to be will expose this administration
to failure at most every turn until its priorities are set right
Memory Alpha, OH
Posted 10:06 AM, 10/04/2009
"He's too casual with the use of his own time."
Oh, really? And how much vacation time did the last President take by this time in his administration. At least Obama can multi-task.
How about the cheering neocons? What great patriots we have in the right wing party.
Posted 11:16 AM, 10/04/2009
Oh, really? And how much vacation time did the last President take by this time in his administration. At least Obama can multi-task.
And how much time has this president spent jet setting around the country and the world on his dates and site seeing? At least when Bush went went to Texas, it was allways a working vacation.
Posted 11:18 AM, 10/04/2009
Maybe he should just consider doing one thing at a time, he might just get something done.
Lefty Lemmingville, Oh
Posted 12:02 PM, 10/04/2009
Let's open our hearts and send Chicago the Gay Games as a consolation prize.
akron, oh
Posted 02:39 PM, 10/04/2009
iiiiiiiime me me me me iiiiiiiiime me me me me iiime me
Lefty Lemmingville, Oh
Posted 07:30 PM, 10/04/2009
father of two.....LMAO!
Lefty Lemmingville, Oh
Posted 07:37 PM, 10/04/2009
Maybe the IOC viewed the beating death of the youth in Chicago and realized that the USA was a ringer for this type of event, giving us an unfair advantage.
everywhere, oh
Posted 09:55 PM, 10/04/2009
I thought the world loved our President.
Richfield, OH
Posted 10:13 PM, 10/04/2009
The WORLD laughs at Obama.
Akron, Oh
Posted 10:50 PM, 10/04/2009
Ladies from Rio or ladies from Chicago--tough pick there. I'm glad the gay games are coming to Akron in 2014 because that's the year I'm putting my house up for sale in Highland Square (gay Akron).
I bought it for $67,000, it's now worth $35,000, but in 2014 it will be worth $1.4 mil..
Posted 01:33 AM, 10/05/2009
The honeymoon is over, the magical land of unicorns and free gas did not happen...sorry first time voters, next time pick a guy with some real world experience
akron, OH
Posted 08:22 AM, 10/05/2009
J, that has never been one of the options.
everywhere, oh
Posted 09:28 AM, 10/05/2009
"... Obama's own Democratic Party are beginning to wonder whether he's someone who tries a lot but succeeds at little, and whether he has the sense to focus on the most important things."
Shades of Jimmy Carter here....
Where's the Charlie Rangel tax story?
Richfield, OH
Posted 11:08 AM, 10/05/2009
nmaxxs - you make me laugh. Dem leaders call our troops terrorists and murderers and you are upset because some conservative cheered that Chicago didn't get the Olympics.
The reality is most conservatives would love to see the Olympics in the US. The laughter was more the result of the arrogance of Obama. The WORLD rejected him and you will see the leaders mock him. Just look at the leaders that praise Obama - Chavez, Castro, Qaddafi. That should tell you something is wrong right there.
Welcome back Carter!
Canton, Oh
Posted 01:41 PM, 10/05/2009
Good one, Minna.
akron, oh
Posted 06:56 PM, 10/05/2009
michelle obama got bit*h slapped along with her husband i could not beleive what i was hearing,it wasnt about the usa it was about them ...just blocks from our home....just blocks from where i grew up they didnt care about this country hell i could think of a better place than chigago like...........butiful downtown akron yea thats right butiful downtown akron!
