So, How About Everyone Drop It About the Olympics: A Study in Political Futility
Barack Obama, Cory Truax, The Media
I–yes I, the guy who thinks everything has political ramifications – have been absolutely astounded by those on the Right who somehow think they can make political hay from Chicago not being awarded the 2016 Olympics and those on the Left who are viciously attacking critics on the Right as if the Right has a point.
Listen, if I can’t find a way to blame it on President Obama, it can’t be blamed on President Obama. First, this one doesn’t even need any blame assigned, but if it did, it can’t possibly be placed on Obama or his wife. Folks, an American city lost a bid to host a Summer Olympics. It happens. London beat out New York among other competitors for the 2012 games. That wasn’t anybody’s fault.
Anyway, let me give you the media reaction rundown on everything from the lead-up to the aftermath of the 2016 Olympic city announcement. Most of it is humorously absurd.
On the days leading up to President Obama visiting Copenhagen to pitch Chicago, Sean Hannity and even guys I respect like Newt Gingrich (on his Facebook and Twitter) and Rush Limbaugh (on his radio show), shared the same refrain:
Unemployment is at 10%, we’re fighting two wars, one teetering on the edge of failure, the health care debate is far from over, etc…, and the President thinks it’s important enough to fly to Copenhagen and shill for Mayor Daley.
Liberals screamed back that the Olympics would produce economic growth and help re-establish America’s “world-image” — whatever the heck that is.
I, for one, said, “Are we seriously going to debate about this?”
But if I was confused by the overreaction from my side and theirs BEFORE the announcement, I was absolutely bewildered at the reaction when Chicago was eliminated in the first round of voting.
Here’s video of a Leftist CNN anchor (as if there’s any other kind) when it was announced. He’s almost speechless, and it’s laughable.
The announcement came while my favorite talker, Glenn Beck, was on the air. He immediately went to work, mocking the president’s “epic fail.” And it was quality radio and comedy. So, I’m not sure if he meant it, but if he did, it was way over the top. Limbaugh hit the airwaves just over an hour later and created a believable image of the Obama family being embarrassed by “being rejected by the world.” (Limbaugh did hit one great line, though: “I didn’t know the Olympic Comittee was so racist”).
So, the Left was flabbergasted, and the Right was enjoying a seemingly embarrassing moment for the president. One of the highlights — or lowlights — from the Left’s reaction featured Ed Shultz. He actually equated folks on the Right not being devastated that Chicago lost the Olympics with Jane Fonda taking pictures with the enemy troops during the Vietnam War (Watch the Video). No, really. He actually said that.
MSNBC’s Dylan Ratigan continued that theme (Video).
On a certain level, I sympathize with my fellow conservatives who actually celebrated not getting the Olympics as a rebuke to Obama. To the Left, be honest, you know how it would have been covered:
Barack Obama, our dear leader, single-handedly brings the Olympics to Chicago!
If Chicago would have been awarded the Olympics, you guys would have certainly hailed it as evidence of the president’s transcendent presence. You would have told Americans the Olympics going to Chicago should be credited directly to some sort of ambiguous foreign policy adjustment by the president.
Nevertheless, both sides just went nuts over this absolute non-issue, and I can’t wait until it’s completely worked its way out of the news cycle. I know this one was short, but I just wanted to get a couple thoughts out there.
My likely next topic: The Nobel Peace Prize and the reaction thereto
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Cory Truax @ October 10, 2009
