USA 2024

[Quaker2001]

Somehow, that doesn't sound like a winning attribute to me. Philadelphia has to be convincing as to Y the world should come there. Not, "if you're still concerned about spending time here, you still have New York & DC a stone's throw away from us to visit if you give us the Games".

Yea, I didn't describe that well and clearly Philadelphia wouldn't sell it as "if you don't want to be here." Still, how often do we talk about how much diverse culture the United States has to offer. On it's own, Philadelphia has plenty of museums, restaurants, night life, etc. to keep people occupied. But it doesn't hurt to have 2 other major cities nearby. And again, that's Philadelphia's sell.. we're a world class city on our own, we just happen to be overshadowed by NYC and DC.

[PyroKinesis]

There is nothing "world class" about Philly. Entire city is one big slum.

[intoronto]

There is nothing "world class" about Philly. Entire city is one big slum.

And yet Las Vegas, Disney World and Columbous are worthy Olympic hosts?

[Soaring]

Philly would maybe be an option, if none of the alpha cities (other than LA) step into the fold.

[Athensfan]

And again, that's Philadelphia's sell.. we're a world class city on our own, we just happen to be overshadowed by NYC and DC.

Yikes. If I were you I wouldn't be planning a career in PR -- or as a bid strategist.

Philly would maybe be an option, if none of the alpha cities (other than LA) step into the fold.

Soaring, I think you're way too negative about LA's prospects.

[Soaring]

I can see LA 2032 having a better shot, but I just have a hard time seeing it win for 2024 or 2028. It is just an opinion, but an opinion nonetheless. If no other city stepped up to bid, than I would support LA. But (and it is a big but) if the USOC were presented with other credible choices of other bid cities, than I would lean toward that option.

[Athensfan]

At this point it's hard for me to see a stadium-less Philly being preferable to LA. LA has more international renown, better weather, more public support and more venues. The fact that they hosted 40 years earlier (1984-2024) does not cancel that out in my opinion.

[Crusader]

At this point it's hard for me to see a stadium-less Philly being preferable to LA. LA has more international renown, better weather, more public support and more venues. The fact that they hosted 40 years earlier (1984-2024) does not cancel that out in my opinion.

Ironically both cities are Democrat strongholds. Be interesting to see what might happen if Mitt the Twit gets elected. Will a Dallas candidature be considered more positively?

[Soaring]

Ironically both cities are Democrat strongholds. Be interesting to see what might happen if Mitt the Twit gets elected. Will a Dallas candidature be considered more positively?

I don't think so. Most US cities are run by Democrats, and states with Democratic governors might be more willing to cover any budget shortfalls with public money. I think the financial footing of a state and strong political leadership is more important than red state vs. blue state.

Dallas is a no-go in my opinion anyway. The very hot weather, spread out venues, lack of public transport, lack of international recognition is more of an issue for me.

[zekekelso]

Ironically both cities are Democrat strongholds. Be interesting to see what might happen if Mitt the Twit gets elected. Will a Dallas candidature be considered more positively?

No matter what happens in the election, Republicans are going to hold powerful spots. It is going to be hard for any US city to get the needed government guarantees. That's going to be especially true for any Democratic stronghold. Influential factions of Republican were openly rooting against Chicago's bid, and celebrated when they lost. A Republican stronghold is going to have a much easier time getting goverment backing. Give Dallas a slight nod, as well as SLC for the winter games.

One cool thing is that Paul Ryan may be president by 2024. I've heard he has wicked fast marathon times. Not sure if he could actually make the Olympic team, but even making the US trials would be cool for a sitting POTUS.

[zekekelso]

Dallas is a no-go in my opinion anyway. The very hot weather, spread out venues, lack of public transport, lack of international recognition is more of an issue for me.

Believe it or not, Dallas has pretty good public transportation, especially around the Cotton Bowl, which I assume would be the centerpiece of any bid. And it is one of the most recognized American cities internationally thanks to the TV show. Dallas was one of the first TV shows to be syndicated internationally via satellite. In places like Eastern Europe, it's audience was huge (given a choice between whatever propaganda the Bulgarian government was putting out, and Dallas, the choice was easy.) There are even people who believe the syndication of Dallas helped accelerate the downfall of communism... as the contrast between real-world communism and fantasy-world capitalism was especially sharp.

[BABYLON]

The very hot weather... is more of an issue for me.

I have to agree... Dallas is hot and the humidity is even worse!

I like Fair Park in the winter! That place is neat.

[Crusader]

One cool thing is that Paul Ryan may be president by 2024. I've heard he has wicked fast marathon times. Not sure if he could actually make the Olympic team, but even making the US trials would be cool for a sitting POTUS.

Only in his own mind especially as he was caught lying about this.

[paul]

I think Romney may be a strong representative if president before the next US games. The Obamas (and Oprah?) had their chance to support and win a bid.

[Quaker2001]

I think Romney may be a strong representative if president before the next US games. The Obamas (and Oprah?) had their chance to support and win a bid.

The difference there though is that Obama was supporting a bid for an Olympics he might have been president during. That won't be the case with Romney. If he wins this election and then gets elected for a 2nd term, he won't be president for an Olympics in 2024. So at best, he's president during the next bid cycle, but wouldn't preside over those Olympics.

[Soaring]

No matter who is in power, Federal government support will mostly be in way of security, customs and a limited amount for infrastructure. American bids are more reliant on private, state and the city to cover costs for organizing.

I would expect Romney to be easier to deal with than say Paul Ryan if he were president during organizing, and he certainly has a better relationship with the IOC

The reason why so many Republicans were not supportive of Chicago, was simply because that is Obama's home town, and he took the unprecedented step to be in Copenhagen during the polarizing debate on health care.

I would not go as far to say that a city in a Republican state has a better chance at bidding and organizing an Olympics though.

[Athensfan]

If anyone can get the Republicans behind an Olympic bid, it's Romney. I trust him to do that.

Also, I don't think the Republicans are anti-Olympics. They're pro-fiscal conservatism. I'm an Independent, but I'm in favor of fiscal conservatism too -- especially when we're looking at such a terrifying deficit.

The key to getting government guarantees for the Olympics is convincing the government that their aid will never be needed. I think Romney's just the guy for that job. He's also the perfect person to sell an American bid to the IOC.

Whether Romney is the best choice for president is another matter entirely. As I've said before, no matter how I vote I will be holding my nose. I'm leaning towards Romney because of his economic acumen, but I'm not excited about him. I suppose I'm less excited about another 4 years of Obama.

You can be certain Obama WON'T campaign for the next American bid.

[PotatoChips]

I think Romney may be a strong representative if president before the next US games. The Obamas (and Oprah?) had their chance to support and win a bid.

Obama and Oprah was not the reason Chicago lost.

[zekekelso]

At the risk of turning this into a political debate, no matter what they say, Republicans are the opposite of fiscal conservatives. Those right-wingers who are opposed to the Olympics do so out of opposition to anything that feels the slightest bit European/UN . And if a bid has any links to Democrats they hate, even more excuse to oppose it. Which leads to the perverse conclusion that the best way to help US prospects to host is to elect more Republicans.

[Athensfan]

At the risk of turning this into a political debate, no matter what they say, Republicans are the opposite of fiscal conservatives. Those right-wingers who are opposed to the Olympics do so out of opposition to anything that feels the slightest bit European/UN . And if a bid has any links to Democrats they hate, even more excuse to oppose it. Which leads to the perverse conclusion that the best way to help US prospects to host is to elect more Republicans.

And another blow is struck against bipartisanship.... Yuck.

Like I said, I'm an independent.

[PyroKinesis]

Obama and Oprah was not the reason Chicago lost.

True, but I believe they are the reason why Chicago lost so quickly. The cocky Americans sent over their President and some talk show host who has no sway anywhere else in the world? Let's vote them out now instead of later.

[paul]

The difference there though is that Obama was supporting a bid for an Olympics he might have been president during. That won't be the case with Romney. If he wins this election and then gets elected for a 2nd term, he won't be president for an Olympics in 2024. So at best, he's president during the next bid cycle, but wouldn't preside over those Olympics.

I'm sure that would not be a factor.

[paul]

A president with IOC connections who also plays an active roll before the vote convention would be nice.

[Crusader]

A president with IOC connections who also plays an active roll before the vote convention would be nice.

Yes as Mitt the Twit commits the ultimate IOC sin of insulting the hosts of other games simply because he ran one in the middle of nowhere.

I am sure such arrogance will go down swimmingly with the IOC

[PotatoChips]

Let's try to focus on the actual bids for the olympics instead of the politics that surround it. I don't want this thread to turn into an Obama vs Romney debate.