Why Is Obama Going To Copenhagen?

[micheal_warren]

It's not even a few days. He is leaving Thursday night, will be in Copenhagen for 5 hours, and then will be back in DC by Friday afternoon. He and the Vice President have been making personal phone calls to all of the IOC members. Michelle and Oprah are trying to meet all of the IOC members personally before the vote.

Good to hear the President and VP have been calling the IOC members!

Athensfan: Your post was spot on!

[Athensfan]

Some people have speculated that the timing of Obama's announcement was just for show. I think the response from disgruntled Republicans, however, validates all the president's concerns about making the trip to Copenhagen. This trip is a big risk for Obama. If Chicago loses, his opposition in Washington will crow even louder and he will be seen as ineffectual. The only explanation for his trip is his belief in the bid and his respect for the Olympic Movement.

In a way, someone was going to be angry no matter what. Obama would be seen as disrespecting the IOC and the international community if he did not come to Copenhagen. However, reactionaries are now accusing him of "wasting time on frivolous pursuits" and shirking presidential responsibility. There are still those on this forum who argue that the president's trip is so brief that it doesn't communicate any real commitment on his part. This is patently untrue. The president is totally committed to Chicago 2016. He is expressing that commitment at great risk to himself. No matter what he does he will not please everyone.

[ChiTown16]

Some people have speculated that the timing of Obama's announcement was just for show. I think the response from disgruntled Republicans, however, validates all the president's concerns about making the trip to Copenhagen. This trip is a big risk for Obama. If Chicago loses, his opposition in Washington will crow even louder and he will be seen as ineffectual. The only explanation for his trip is his belief in the bid and his respect for the Olympic Movement.

In a way, someone was going to be angry no matter what. Obama would be seen as disrespecting the IOC and the international community if he did not come to Copenhagen. However, reactionaries are now accusing him of "wasting time on frivolous pursuits" and shirking presidential responsibility. There are still those on this forum who argue that the president's trip is so brief that it doesn't communicate any real commitment on his part. This is patently untrue. The president is totally committed to Chicago 2016. He is expressing that commitment at great risk to himself. No matter what he does he will not please everyone.

True.

And no matter what he does, the Republicans are going to find something to criticize. He wouldn't gain anything with them by staying in DC.

After all, they spent a week criticizing him for taking his wife to dinner and a play earlier this year:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/30/o...s_n_209434.html

even before the smaller jet left Washington, the there-and-back trip drew criticism from the Republican National Committee. The RNC issued a news release that chastised Obama for saying he understands American's troubles, but then hopping up to New York for "a night on the town."

Noting that General Motors is expected to file for Chapter 11 protection on Monday, the news release said: "Putting on a show: Obamas wing into the city for an evening out while another iconic American company prepares for bankruptcy."

CHItown '16

[olympian]

This is also the first time in U.S. bidding history that the seating president hails from the candidate city. It will help a lot.

[stir.ts]

Organization