The broadcast evening networks all led Friday night not with the jump in the unemployment rate to 9.8%, but with the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) rejection of Chicago's bid, stories which reflected the premise Chicago lost “despite” or “in spite” of the “star-studded U.S. appeal from Oprah to the Obamas,” while ABC's Charles Gibson absolved President Barack Obama by pressing for confirmation of “some anti-American sentiment here?” and whether “this is seen as a poke in the eye to the President himself or...to the U.S.?” George Stephanopoulos assured viewers:
If the President gets a health care bill this fall, if the economy starts to turn around, if he can build an international coalition to take on Iran's nuclear program, none of this will matter.
A lot of ifs.
On Wednesday night, CBS anchor Katie Couric had declared “the 'Dream Team' pushing Chicago's bid for the 2016 Olympic summer games is nearly complete” and was just awaiting “team captain” President Barack Obama who “arrives Friday ahead of the final vote.” After the vote, Couric remained impressed by the effort, teasing Friday's CBS Evening News: “Tonight, Chicago hope dashed. Despite a high-powered, star-studded U.S. appeal from Oprah to the Obamas, the Olympics are awarded to Rio.”
On ABC, Chris Bury echoed that Chicago's elimination came “in spite of those personal closing arguments from its premiere power couple.”
From the Friday, October 2 World News on ABC:
CHARLES GIBSON: They may have wanted to go to Rio in the first place, but that Chicago finished last, did they gang up on Chicago? Is there some anti-American sentiment here?CHRISTINE BRENNAN, USA TODY: You could certainly say that, Charlie. In the last few months, the IOC has gotten rid of baseball and softball from the Olympics, both U.S. sports that Americans love and that we're dominant in. And now of course Chicago finishing last. Four years ago, New York was second to last. This is a really bad time for Olympic efforts, USOC, the Olympic Committee and the IOC are at odds on many different issues. And I think this is a humbling time for the U.S. Olympic effort and for the President himself to come over there and then to have them be last, it should be a great wake-up call for U.S. efforts in the future because on the horizon it is not looking good for the USOC, even though the U.S. provides so much money to the International Olympic Committee.
GIBSON: Alright, Christine Brennan, our thanks to you. Also joining us is our chief Washington correspondent and the host of This Week, George Stephanopoulos. George, let's get to the President. He put a lot into this.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: He certainly did, Charlie. What he was told is there is no chance that Chicago could win if he didn't go. And White House officials point to history and say it's now become something of a tradition for heads of state to go, especially after Tony Blair went and secured the Olympics, a come from behind victory for London a couple of years ago. But I think Christine hit on some important points. What you can fault the White House for perhaps is failure to understand that International Olympic Committee politics and putting the prestige of the presidency on the line for something that wouldn't have been that great a payoff.
GIBSON: Well, he might have been darned if he did and darned if he didn't. If he hadn't gone and we lost, they'd have said, “why didn't you go?” If he does go, he gets criticism for that. But in the long run, do you think this is seen as a poke in the eye to the President himself? Or, as we were talking about with Christine, to the U.S.?
STEPHANOPOULOS: I think that Christine's points are important. As for the President himself, a lot will depend on what happens going forward. Listen Charlie, if the President gets a health care bill this fall, if the economy starts to turn around, if he can build an international coalition to take on Iran's nuclear program, none of this will matter, nothing that happened today will matter. If things go badly in the next several weeks and months for the President, then this could become short hand, almost a metaphor for the problems the White House faces. Are they trying to do too much too quickly? Do they have too much faith for the President's power of persuasion against intractable problems?
Earlier: “ABC’s Charlie Gibson in Chicago for ‘Crushing’ Olympic Defeat; ‘Kick in the Pants' for Obama”
—Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Bush?
October 2, 2009 - 20:31 ET by pgrossjryou can only imagine how this would have been played if W had been in the same position. Of course he was smart enough to realize that the POTUS doesnt get involved in such stunts. This guy has absolutely no idea about what is presidential and what is not. His involvement in local affairs is beyond what you would expect. Ask David Patterson.
Funny you should mention that.
October 3, 2009 - 10:45 ET by CobraManHere's what the Daily Kos said about Bush and the 2012 Olympics back in 2004:
"The Olympic's governing board is pissed at Bush's "arrogance", and they have a way to retaliate -- denying NYC's its 2012 bid for the games."
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.
The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus.
The US Supreme Court
Obama reaped what he sowed.
October 2, 2009 - 20:32 ET by ekslibHis short pro-Chicago
speech to the IOC could not outweigh his two LONG years of public US-bashing.
Who'd want to go to a country that the "brilliant" Obamas are ashamed of?
Let's get real here:
October 2, 2009 - 20:44 ET by BKeyserI think the important thing to note -and I know that partisans on both sides will stick with their ideological arguments- regardless of whether this is a deliberate snub by the IOC for current or past problems with the USOC; or if there is some hold-over anti-American sentiment from the previous administration; or even if the concensus of the IOC was based on the legitimate fact that the United States has hosted both summer and winter Olympics on multiple occasions; we've still got the bestest president in the whole gosh-darned world and nothing he will ever do will be even remotely ill-fated. /sarc
Oh, and congratulations to Rio.
Isn't it obvious!?
October 2, 2009 - 20:47 ET by sockit2meIsn't it obvious? The IOC is racist!!!! ;-)!
STEPHANOPOULOS
October 2, 2009 - 20:54 ET by American.Patriot"if..., if..., if..."
Sounds like the minions are starting to doubt the messiah. This should start to be interesting viewing.
But, the tough decision is, do I return to watching network news programming for the entertainment value of watching them peel the onion back on the messiah's failure (and give them a potential ratings spike), or just follow the real news networks and be satisfied that the messiah is failing?
care to help me out here.....
BTW, the wife and I are already planning to go to Rio. What a fabulous vacation that will be. (When my baby goes to Rio.... Name that song)
Going to Rio--?
October 2, 2009 - 23:31 ET by carolina09Be really, really careful.
To the Pravda media,
October 2, 2009 - 20:54 ET by rockyracoonTo the Pravda media, nothing will hurt B0, they'll always make a silk purse out of a sows ear for their chosen leader. Not only did TOTUS unecessarily put his prestige on the line, he has no idea what the prestige of the office he now holds entails. His actions speak louder than words.
I liked the Drudge headline Michelle X Barack + Orpah = Zero!!!
Rocky...That must be
October 2, 2009 - 21:03 ET by ww thumperRocky...That must be that fuzzy math I've heard about.... :>D When you elect a communist for your President... don't be surprised when Communisem breakes out!... WW
It sure is fuzzy math,
October 2, 2009 - 22:56 ET by rockyracoonIt sure is fuzzy math, Thumper. Someone, on this website, I forget who used to always say, "If you invite a bunch of clowns, don't be surprised if a circus breaks out."
Pres. B0 should start going to work for the American people, hasn't he heard...the campaign is over, he's "the won.
Vital Question
October 2, 2009 - 21:02 ET by srqvetDoes this mean there will not be unicorn ring-toss at the 2016 games? Believe unicorn ring-toss was only if Duh One was going to preside over the Olympics from his porch.
Barack Insane Obeyme mmm....mmm....mmm
Pathetic
October 2, 2009 - 21:03 ET by Joe CamelIt would be laughable if it were not so pathetic watching and listening to these "journalists" and "pundits" bowing to this idiot we have in charge. Buyers remorse has set in, the rest of the world is thumbing their nose at us; all the while Mr. O. continues to downplay us in the world view and stage. Yes, he is changing the country, and it is starting to pay attention finally.
You said it!
October 2, 2009 - 22:23 ET by Forest for the TreesObama's media:
Whine, whine, whine...sniffle...excuse #1, excuse #2, excuse #3... excuse #12 Trillion...
I guess next the Ted Kennedy
October 2, 2009 - 21:06 ET by Dan The Man 2I guess next the Ted Kennedy Memorial Healthcare law will be passed and all will be well or will it pass?
What if
October 2, 2009 - 21:06 ET by sic721"If the President gets a health care bill this fall, if the economy starts to turn around, if he can build an international coalition to take on Iran's nuclear program, none of this will matter."
And if Ma had whiskers, she'd be my Pa.
....and what's more....
October 2, 2009 - 22:26 ET by neighb...if I had a ten-incher, I'd be in porno movies.
Spin, Obots, spin! What
October 2, 2009 - 21:07 ET by HockeyKidSpin, Obots, spin! What happened to how the world loves Barry? I guess "star power" doesn't cut the mustard after all, eh?
HAAAAAhahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahah Haaaaaaahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahah Haaaaaaahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahah!!!
Uhbama gets his head handed to him on a platter. I guess the whole world now knows he doesn't even CAMPAIGN all that well!
Keep those "ifs" on tap, Snuffleupagus. We're keeping score.
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
As my old man used to say
October 2, 2009 - 21:21 ET by myron243when I was trying to if my way out of something I had done or not done whichever the case:
"Son, if a frog had wings he wouldn't bruise his ass when he landed."
The king has no clothes
October 2, 2009 - 21:47 ET by needleAnd neither does the Liberal media
- Relying upon the State Run Media for your information is like relying upon an embezzler for your portfolio management.
- I didn't leave the Republican Party; the Republican Party left me.
Oprah
October 2, 2009 - 21:54 ET by sevenShe has clothes. Picture her in spandex pufin down Michigan avenue totin' the torch. They had made all the plans. Oprah just be shakin like jello runnin' the street.
→ Orca Winfrey
October 2, 2009 - 22:00 ET by Cool ArrowSeven, was that a nice thing to say?
Maybe not nice Cool, but
October 3, 2009 - 13:19 ET by rockyracoonMaybe not nice Cool, but dammed funny!!! LOL!!
or maybe not
October 2, 2009 - 21:53 ET by MidAmericaOne of obama' make you pull you hair out arrogant comments:
April 2: "I would like to think that with my election and the early decisions that we've made, that you're starting to see some restoration of America's standing in the world." -- President Obama, at G20 summit in London
omg...look what I found...
October 2, 2009 - 21:55 ET by traderjameshttp://www.washingto...
Wapo continues to fawn over Michelle, in the face of defeat...(caution: above article may make you puke)
Pumpkin?
October 2, 2009 - 22:55 ET by RHawkinsSadly, I read until I got to the part where it became a fashion report and then I puked, making my t-shirt pumpkin colored with vomit.
What really really
October 2, 2009 - 22:08 ET by MidAmericaWhat really really hurts obama personally about this IOC snub is the fact that he is not governing as an American President but rather he sees himself as outside and above a mere President of the United States. He sees his role as an outsider who wants to contain and restrain this 'arrogant' and 'domineering' country. His world view is that he is going to deliver this neutered country to a grateful world who will hail him as the greatest statesman to ever have lived.
it's all about Barack
October 2, 2009 - 22:14 ET by michiganruthdoes he get it yet that not everyone is fascinated with his life story? from what I've read it sounds like Obama's entire basis for the Olympics going to Chicago was that that's where he's from. come to America because they were smart enough to elect ME president!
also, has anyone else noticed his odd turn of phrase when he said he wanted people to be able to "come to America and see what we're like." he sounds like he's in one of those commercials for some tropical island. "Discover Jamaica" or something. people don't have to come to America to "see what we're like." they know what we're like: that's why they come.
Chicago
October 3, 2009 - 02:18 ET by TeamcheeserThe world saw Obama's Chicago in that vicous video of the gang fight where an honors student was murdered.
The second I saw that kid hit the pavement I knew the Olympics were never going to Chicago.
Chicagoans should be outraged about that murder today, not the Olympics.
MSM is SNL: OOOPS -- NEVER MIND
October 3, 2009 - 05:28 ET by allanfWhat's fascinating is to see the fringe media acolytes turn on a dime. It's like watching cult members. They pump this up with words like "dream team", "moving speech". Their coverage is full of celebrity worship.
Then like the SNL character its "NEVER MIND"
Emily Littela, by the late
October 3, 2009 - 13:22 ET by rockyracoonEmily Littela, by the late great Gilda Radner
Hard to believe she's been
October 3, 2009 - 13:35 ET by Kat Outta the BagHard to believe she's been gone 20 years now, isn't it?
That's when SNL was
October 3, 2009 - 14:00 ET by celatorThat's when SNL was consistently funny, on point, and well produced and crisply written. The cast was superb.
Then they crashed. For the last 12-15 years, SNL has been unwatchable, for me. Amateurish, some of the most unprofessional acting and writing in the history of television.
The performers are too lazy to learn their lines, so we have the cringing spectacle of the actors awkwardly reading off the cue cards, for crying out loud.
No citizen's right to life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, or property is safe as long as Obama is President of the United States.
celator--
October 3, 2009 - 14:18 ET by Kat Outta the BagI agree with you on all points. Besides...I can't even stay up that late anymore even if I wanted to watch it. LOL
Kat....I liked MAD TV a lot.
October 3, 2009 - 14:25 ET by celatorKat....I liked MAD TV a lot. Wonderful characters, well written. But alas, I'm getting so that staying up late is gettin' to be rough sledding for me, too. ;+}
No citizen's right to life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, or property is safe as long as Obama is President of the United States.
pressing for confirmation of “some anti-American sentiment here?
October 2, 2009 - 22:47 ET by MES41067Well hell we sent our number one anti-American.I guess maybe he should have brought a few extra anti-American's with him.
(Lenin called them "useful idiots" I for one have no use for them.)
Is it just me
October 2, 2009 - 23:08 ET by clubchamp6or did anyone else Think Charlie Gibson skew it to sound like the Anti-American sentiment was because of Bush and that the Big O (Sorry Oscar Robertson) just couldn't overcome the past 8 years.
I really would like to punch Charlie square in the face because he should no better...Stephy is just a product of our poor liberal school system.
Once again, from the IOC Chorus:
October 2, 2009 - 23:35 ET by wnaegele"Barack Hussein Obama: No! No! No!"
FINALLY...AND IF THERE WAS EVER A REASON...
October 3, 2009 - 00:16 ET by caiobabefor Americans to believe that the press actually does carry Obama's water it is here to see in this stupid and innocuous subject of Obie's inability to bring the Olympics home.
→ Obie Da Wun Cannot Be
October 3, 2009 - 00:21 ET by Cool ArrowI'm watching Anderson Cooper crying because conservatives are happy.
Anderson should be asking why Obama insinuated himself so heavily into the gambit in the first place.
The Mudville Three
October 3, 2009 - 02:11 ET by TeamcheeserOprah led off and grounded to third. Michelle was next and popped out to left. And up stepped the savior with one out to go...
The mighty Obama has struck out! Looking. Never took the bat off his shoulder.
Oh well! In a liberal world where every kid gets a trophy just for showing up a LAST PLACE finish is just as good as first.
To (loosely) quote Hollywood:
"Your ego is writing checks that your body can't cash."
"You don't bring a knife to a gun fight!"
"You're nothing but a scurvy, little spider!"
"Chicago, we have a problem."
"Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn."
Obama is done.
LOL...OMG, so, let me get
October 3, 2009 - 04:12 ET by RR GOPLOL...OMG, so, let me get this straight...if the IOC had given the rings to Chicago, this would have been proof of The One's world popularity, charisma, charm, political prowess, etc.
But, since he made himself (and us BTW) look foolish, it's no big deal.
Do even those who carry an ACLU card and hate Fox News and Rush Limbaugh even believe this?
One of the 34% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 86% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory.
Obama wins gold for the Triple Dumb
October 3, 2009 - 05:01 ET by Jack BauerIn other words, since Obama became President, the USA has gone backwards!
I said it last January, thanks to Obama and his minions forever patting themselves on the back as they look in the mirror and think they're oh so clever: Dumb is the new Smart.
Now wait, and watch in amusement as the Democrat controlled Congress goes into FULL PANIC MODE thru 2010 as it dawns on them that they keep giving CASH FOR THIS CLUNKER
Hey there Georgie boy
October 3, 2009 - 06:16 ET by jacktheripper"Balls said the Queen, IF I had 2 I'd be King"!...the summer Oly's should be track -n- field only
"The American Republic will endure, until politicians realize they can
bribe the people with their own money." – Alexis de Tocqueville
The USA does'nt necessarily
October 3, 2009 - 13:27 ET by rockyracoonThe USA does'nt necessarily dominate in baseball. There are a lot of good players and teams in the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Our girls do dominate in softball, however they lost the gold medal game last year to Japan.
I am 50. Will I see in my
October 3, 2009 - 08:01 ET by buddycI am 50. Will I see in my lifetime an ABC news commentator in GIBSON's or STEPHANOPOULOS' position who has conservative views? In 50 years ABC commentators have all come from liberal backgrounds with liberal views.
Slum lords and political hacks all over the world...
October 3, 2009 - 08:43 ET by ThalpySlum lords and political hacks all over the world are crestfallen--as they should be.