Is Obama Loosing Ground/ This ain't FOX NEWS

[rickjump1 0]

Could this be the end of the media's love affair with Obama (leg tingling starting to vanish)?

Analysis: Chicago's loss is a blow to Obama, too

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. 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.

He has achievements to be proud of in less than nine months in office. But with most of the bigger issues still in the air, voters — 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. A jaunt across the Atlantic, and an extraordinarily expensive one at that, doesn't help.

• 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, and that verdict isn't good.

• 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. For instance, some IOC members resented the fact that Obama blew into Copenhagen for just five hours, jetting back down the runway toward Washington hours before the result was even announced.

"It can be that some IOC members see it as a lack of respect," said former IOC member Kai Holm.

• He's too casual with the use of his own time.

This White House has been drawing questions about its tendency to turn to Obama as its only closer, with not much of a bench. 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. This reduces the chances of overexposure reducing his effectiveness.

It might have been wiser to know more about the vote count before he boarded Air Force One. In hindsight, there was plenty of reason to doubt Chicago's chances.

• He's junior varsity-league, still learning on the job.

The votes of IOC members are notoriously hard to count ahead of time. But so are those in the U.S. Capitol. Will Obama do as poorly predicting how health care votes are leaning in Congress, and make similarly ill-fated strategic decisions as that long and complicated debate unfolds through the fall?

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. He tried, as he often does, to thread the needle — make the trip, but make it a quick one to deflect questions about taking time away from the pressing health care and Afghanistan debates.

Aides said the president viewed the trip as worth it, despite the painful outcome. "If you can't do more than one thing at a time," said spokesman Robert Gibbs, "the president wouldn't have gotten through the first day."

But the president risks seeing the pool of his easy doubters grow with each misstep, even these smaller ones.

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EDITOR'S NOTE — Jennifer Loven is AP White House Correspondent and has covered the White House for the AP since 2002. Julie Pace reported from Copenhagen.

Do your part for global warming: ban beans and hold all popcorn farts.

[futuredivot 0]

While the story does bring up some of the concerns I share about our President. I think too much weight is being put on the IOC vote. Chicago would not have been the best venue. The committee made a good choice. Not much that Obama could do would have influenced it.

You are only as strong as the prey you devour

[rickjump1 0]

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While the story does bring up some of the concerns I share about our President. I think too much weight is being put on the IOC vote. Chicago would not have been the best venue. The committee made a good choice. Not much that Obama could do would have influenced it.

I agree, but I find it more interesting that this news source counted it as part of a list of other failures.

Do your part for global warming: ban beans and hold all popcorn farts.

[FallingOsh 0]

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While the story does bring up some of the concerns I share about our President. I think too much weight is being put on the IOC vote. Chicago would not have been the best venue. The committee made a good choice. Not much that Obama could do would have influenced it.

I think that's kinda the point. Chicago wouldn't have been the best venue and there's not much he could've done to change that so why go? Who knows how many hundreds of thousands of dollars spent plus more time added to the overexposure issue.

I personally don't think the IOC thing is that big of a deal. The somewhat comical, and a little sad, part is that he thinks he can just show up somewhere like "Hey, I'm Obama. Aren't I great? Make this happen."

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Stay positive and love your life.

[futuredivot 0]

I hate to defend his Dumbo-ness, but there's no way he could have won this. Don't go, and why didn't you try-go, and why did you waste the time.

Now, that quick drop-in trip was a half assed thing to do because he didn't make it look like it was really important to him but still made the trip.

You are only as strong as the prey you devour

[SpeedRacer 1]

well it wasn't that important.

Speed Racer
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[FallingOsh 0]

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I hate to defend his Dumbo-ness, but there's no way he could have won this. Don't go, and why didn't you try-go, and why did you waste the time.

Now, that quick drop-in trip was a half assed thing to do because he didn't make it look like it was really important to him but still made the trip.

Agreed.

I just think it's pure arrogance to show up for a few hours and expect the IOC to comply.

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Stay positive and love your life.

[freeflybella 0]

If a bunch of dz.com speaker's corners posters knew the IOC would never choose Chicago, don't you think maybe Obama knew it too? He couldn't NOT go. He couldn't spend days there putting on a dog and pony show knowing it wasn't the right venue - and then 'lose' it.

Looks like he made the right move. He went, he made his case and he graciously called Brasil.

Action expresses priority. - Mahatma Ghandi

[Lucky... 0]

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While the story does bring up some of the concerns I share about our President. I think too much weight is being put on the IOC vote. Chicago would not have been the best venue. The committee made a good choice. Not much that Obama could do would have influenced it.

Exactly and if Chicago had won the Olympics I don't see it as being a memorable ocassion either. It is so immaterial either way.

[Lucky... 0]

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While the story does bring up some of the concerns I share about our President. I think too much weight is being put on the IOC vote. Chicago would not have been the best venue. The committee made a good choice. Not much that Obama could do would have influenced it.

I agree, but I find it more interesting that this news source counted it as part of a list of other failures.

I don't think he has a resume of failures, but remember you think the media isn't all liberal next time you complain there is a liberal media conspiracy.

[FallingOsh 0]

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He couldn't NOT go.

Um... yes, he could've NOT gone. It's happened before.

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He couldn't spend days there putting on a dog and pony show knowing it wasn't the right venue - and then 'lose' it.

Right. He could've avoided the 24 hours of 'look at me' time too.

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Looks like he made the right move. He went, he made his case and he graciously called Brasil.

He went when he shouldn't have and was subsequently embarrassed.

Not a big deal in the grand scheme of things but just another example to add to the list of arrogant moves.

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Stay positive and love your life.

[billvon 3,120]

>Chicago wouldn't have been the best venue and there's not much he
>could've done to change that so why go?

I guess sometimes you try to support your city, state and/or country even if you think they're going to lose. It used to be a conservative value.

[Andy9o8 2]

It only matters to those who passionately give a shit about it. Then there's the other 99% of the population.

[rickjump1 0]

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While the story does bring up some of the concerns I share about our President. I think too much weight is being put on the IOC vote. Chicago would not have been the best venue. The committee made a good choice. Not much that Obama could do would have influenced it.

I agree, but I find it more interesting that this news source counted it as part of a list of other failures.

I don't think he has a resume of failures, but remember you think the media isn't all liberal next time you complain there is a liberal media conspiracy.

The tingling sensation is starting to wear off?

Do your part for global warming: ban beans and hold all popcorn farts.

[rushmc 23]

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While the story does bring up some of the concerns I share about our President. I think too much weight is being put on the IOC vote. Chicago would not have been the best venue. The committee made a good choice. Not much that Obama could do would have influenced it.

I agree, but I find it more interesting that this news source counted it as part of a list of other failures.

I don't think he has a resume of failures, but remember you think the media isn't all liberal next time you complain there is a liberal media conspiracy.

The tingling sensation is starting to wear off?

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[TankBuster 0]

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Exactly and if Chicago had won the Olympics I don't see it as being a memorable ocassion either. It is so immaterial either way.

It's memorable because it's indicative of how the guy operates. He doesn't have a plan for anything. No plan for Afganistan, no plan for health care reform either, he's just pushing the Democrats to do something, anything. All his life he's never had to work, and he's relied on his charm and personality to get what he wants. Now that it's not working, I think you're going to see some real frustration on his part, because I don't think he's very tough. He's a child in a man's game.

What is truly unbelievable is that Oprah couldn't get this done. Why didn't she just buy them all cars and take them on a cruise? She'll be going into a deep depression soon and packing on the pounds like a bear going into hibernation.

The forecast is mostly sunny with occasional beer.

[Lucky... 0]

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While the story does bring up some of the concerns I share about our President. I think too much weight is being put on the IOC vote. Chicago would not have been the best venue. The committee made a good choice. Not much that Obama could do would have influenced it.

I agree, but I find it more interesting that this news source counted it as part of a list of other failures.

I don't think he has a resume of failures, but remember you think the media isn't all liberal next time you complain there is a liberal media conspiracy.

The tingling sensation is starting to wear off?

http://instantrimshot.com/

Those cute 1-liners are part of the reason you and your party are watching real politicians run the country. Again, flip-flopper, what you're saying is that the media isn't all liberal. Not a new revelation to me, apparently to you.

[Lucky... 0]

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While the story does bring up some of the concerns I share about our President. I think too much weight is being put on the IOC vote. Chicago would not have been the best venue. The committee made a good choice. Not much that Obama could do would have influenced it.

I agree, but I find it more interesting that this news source counted it as part of a list of other failures.

I don't think he has a resume of failures, but remember you think the media isn't all liberal next time you complain there is a liberal media conspiracy.

The tingling sensation is starting to wear off?

OMG that's a knee-slapper, point made, admission that the media isn't some liberal outlet.

[Lucky... 0]

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It's memorable because it's indicative of how the guy operates. He doesn't have a plan for anything.

Are you kidding me? He has more plans that he has implemented immediately. So let me guess, on one hand he has no plans for change, on the other he is doing too much. Rememberthat flip-flopper rhetotic from 5 years ago?

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No plan for Afganistan, no plan for health care reform either, he's just pushing the Democrats to do something, anything.

He has plans and has implemented them. He pushes for the Dems to do things as that is our style of goverbment; it's not a Monarchy. He needs Congressional Dems to write and pass things, just like your boy's Overtime Bill that allowed some employers to require overtime but not pay them, that kind of Congressional stuff; I think you get it.

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All his life he's never had to work, and he's relied on his charm and personality to get what he wants.

HEY, this is not a GWB thread! Obama was a law school teacher for years as well as othger duties, are sure you understand Obama's past?

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Now that it's not working, I think you're going to see some real frustration on his part, because I don't think he's very tough. He's a child in a man's game.

He's more intellectual than probably other any president. And if he gets HC passed with a public option you'll claim luck or someone carried him, so this argument is meaningless.

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What is truly unbelievable is that Oprah couldn't get this done. Why didn't she just buy them all cars and take them on a cruise? She'll be going into a deep depression soon and packing on the pounds like a bear going into hibernation.

So now Oprah is in the fold. LMK who you really want to talk about and we'll do that.

[jcd11235 0]

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He's more intellectual than probably other any president.

I do believe Obama is intellectual (and consider that a good thing), but I think Thomas Jefferson, a polymath, is likely the most intellectual president that the US has had.

Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

[rushmc 23]

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While the story does bring up some of the concerns I share about our President. I think too much weight is being put on the IOC vote. Chicago would not have been the best venue. The committee made a good choice. Not much that Obama could do would have influenced it.

I agree, but I find it more interesting that this news source counted it as part of a list of other failures.

I don't think he has a resume of failures, but remember you think the media isn't all liberal next time you complain there is a liberal media conspiracy.

The tingling sensation is starting to wear off?

OMG that's a knee-slapper, point made, admission that the media isn't some liberal outlet.

Some points are sharp..You just found one and it pisses you off

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[Lucky... 0]

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He's more intellectual than probably other any president.

I do believe Obama is intellectual (and consider that a good thing), but I think Thomas Jefferson, a polymath, is likely the most intellectual president that the US has had.

Which is why I wrote, "probably." I went through several presidents and made a judgment that he was more intellectual than any I could think of, but I try not to make absolutes, so I wrote, "probably."

Yea, different era, but for his day he was certainly a social and somewhat a military genius.

[Lucky... 0]

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While the story does bring up some of the concerns I share about our President. I think too much weight is being put on the IOC vote. Chicago would not have been the best venue. The committee made a good choice. Not much that Obama could do would have influenced it.

I agree, but I find it more interesting that this news source counted it as part of a list of other failures.

I don't think he has a resume of failures, but remember you think the media isn't all liberal next time you complain there is a liberal media conspiracy.

The tingling sensation is starting to wear off?

OMG that's a knee-slapper, point made, admission that the media isn't some liberal outlet.

Some points are sharp..You just found one and it pisses you off

Found what point; that all media isn't behind some liberal conspiracy as the conservatives will assure us, and now that point has been made by one of your own.