Oct 3

Written by: Steve Clawson
10/3/2009 7:16 AM

I ask the question facetiously of course but almost wonder if there isn't a grain of truth to it, at least by some on the right-wing fringe. It's based on the reaction to Chicago's failed bid to win the 2016 Olympics.

Some big-name conservatives took delight with Chicago being knocked out in the first round. They were thrilled President Obama's personal pitch had fallen short in Copenhagen.

The Drudge Report blared the headline "The Ego Has Landed." The National Review Online called it an "embarrassment for Obama." Glenn Beck called the news "so sweeeeet" and Rush Limbaugh declared it "the worst day of his presidency." To top it all off, a gathering of the conservative group Americans For Prosperity applauded Chicago's loss.

Really folks? Cheering because an American city didn't win? Rush, are you serious or are you back taking drugs again? I'm sure when President Obama calls the family of a fallen soldier that must seem like the worst day of his presidency. Losing a competition for a sporting event doesn't even come close.

Of course not all conservatives acted like idiots. One of my favorites, Joe Scarborough of MSNBC penned a classy, thoughtful piece on the Obama effort and the current political climate. It's worth your time to read it: www.huffingtonpost.com/joe-scarborough/thank-you-mr-president_b_308022.html 

The glee by some in the conservative community strikes me as un-American. We may have our differences, but aren't we all Americans first? I'm proud of my country and always want us to succeed on the world stage. Losing the Olympic bid in 2016 is disappointing, but it's not the end of the world. 

Rio de Janeiro deserves a hearty congratulations for being selected as the first South American country to host the games. Brazil will do a great job and this should be point of pride for the country. 

While Chicago lost the 2016 bid, the United States is likely in a strong position to win the 2020 games. By that time, it will have been 24 years since Atlanta hosted the 1996 Olympics. North America should be considered a front-runner given that Asia (Beijing) hosted the games in 2008, Europe (London) is in 2012 and South America in 2016. 

Personally, I'm not even a big Olympics fan but I recognize the importance and stature the games bring to the host city. President Obama was absolutely right to make the quick trip to Copenhagen. After returning to the White House, Obama said "I believe it's always a worthwhile endeavor to promote and boost the United States of America and invite the world to come see what we're all about." 

How could any American disagree that?

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