Media Overplays Olympic Loss

Many people--probably most people--weren't even minding the Olympic hullabaloo. But moreover, I don't think people would make the leap from Olympic loss to Obama in the doghouse. It's certainly not going to affect health care. That's kind of overreaching. Silly, really. Nice try though.
From MSNBC:

OK, so it is only the Olympics. But President Barack Obama's high-profile failure to win the games for Chicago could feed negative narratives already nipping at his heels — that he is a better talker than deal closer, more celebrity than statesman.

And this could hamper his efforts on weightier issues like health care, climate change, war.

Chicago Trib:

The reasons behind Chicago's first-round knockout in the vote for the 2016 Olympic Games will be debated for some time, but one thing is clear -- the swift defeat was a political blow for President Barack Obama and Mayor Richard Daley.

The two Democratic powerhouses staked personal as well as political capital on their hometown bid, only to see Chicago lose on the first ballot against Tokyo, Madrid and eventual winner Rio de Janeiro.

So quick was the rejection that Daley was not at the meeting center for the first round of voting. He was en route to the Bella Center, where the IOC meeting was held, when he heard Chicago had been bumped. They mayor had the driver turn the car around and went instead to a supporters party at a Copenhagen nightclub.

USA Today:

He came, he spoke — and he finished last.
President Obama's 20-hour jaunt to Copenhagen won't win a gold medal for diplomacy, though aides said his Olympic effort on behalf of Chicago was worth the time and he would do it again if necessary.

"Had he not gone, he would have been criticized for not going," said senior adviser David Axelrod, a Chicagoan who expressed disappointment as the International Olympic Committee awarded the 2016 summer games to Rio de Janeiro.

Rio's exciting pitch. This looks kind of awesome to me:

Obama Congratulates Brazil

Obama and Lula da Silva, president of Brazil, at the recent G20

"You can play a great game and still not win," Obama said. These will be the first Olympic games in South America. After Obama congratulates Brazil, he talks about the jobs report:

David Axelrod:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Obama Travels to Copenhagen Oct. 2 to Woo Chicago Olympics

At first Valerie Jarrett was leading the delegation to win the Olympics for the U.S. in 2016. Then Michelle Obama signed up. Now, Obama has decided to go. It will be a one-day trip:

President Barack Obama will fly to Copenhagen this week to attend a vote on where the 2016 Summer Olympics will be held, Valerie Jarrett, a senior adviser to the president said.

Obama will attend the final presentation on Oct. 2 before the International Olympic Committee for the bid by his adopted hometown of Chicago, Jarrett said in an interview.

“It strengthens our bid,” she said. “There is nothing like the president expressing what it means to him.”

Chicago is competing against Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo. Organizers of the U.S. bid had been lobbying the White House to have Obama make the final pitch, although the president had previously said he was too busy with the battle in Congress over health-care legislation.

“President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama symbolize the hope, opportunity and inspiration that makes Chicago great, and we are honored to have two of our city’s most accomplished residents leading our delegation in Copenhagen,” Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley said in a statement issued by the Chicago 2016 bid committee. Bloomberg

Oprah's going too:

Obama’s decision to make the trip will add star power to a U.S. delegation that already includes the first lady, television host Oprah Winfrey, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan.

See Copenhagen's International Olympic Committee program here. White House announcement via Politico:

"President Obama will join First Lady Michelle Obama, who will be leading the United States delegation to Copenhagen. Mrs. Obama will arrive in Copenhagen on Wednesday, September 30, along with Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to President Obama and head of the White House Office on Olympic, Paralympic and Youth Sport.

"President Obama will depart Washington on the evening of Thursday, October 1 and arrive in Copenhagen on the morning of October 2 local time, just prior to Chicago’s presentation to the voting members of the IOC. He will arrive back in Washington on Friday afternoon.

"President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will both make presentations to the IOC during Friday’s session. They will discuss why Chicago is best to host the 2016 Summer Games, and how the United States is eager to bring the world together to celebrate the ideals of the Olympic movement.

"While in Denmark, the President and First Lady will meet with Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness, the Prince Consort. President Obama will also meet with Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen."

Obama Fences to Promote U.S. as Olympic Host

The Obamas hosted U.S. Olympians and school children at the White House to promote Chicago as host city for 2016 Olympics. Next month, Michelle Obama is leading a delegation to Copenhagen to help win the Olympics for Chicago: