Breaking: Chicago OUT of 2016 Contention

Although I'm not a lawyer, I would look at this situation with Chicago and the President and First Lady visiting to promote Chicago as a candidate host for the 2012 Olympics and evaluate - if they were not natives of Chicago - would this be explored, pressed, or otherwise be considered worthy of using Presidential powers or status to seek candidacy. Even if Obama was not president - would he have gone to promote candidacy for Chicago. Either way- I am only left with questions as to insider deals here. The Olympics in Chicago BECAUSE he is a native of Chicago ? means that this is not really about the Olympics for the United States economy, or Chicago, this means - hey - I'm President and I can pull some strings here. Granted Bush paved the way to allow ALL kinds of Presidential power to be used and abused - executive powers beyond anything we've ever seen. To me - character would have been better demonstrated by NOT using presidential purse strings to go push for Chicago. After all - the committee that decided where the Olympics will be- really are not interested in making any back room deals, playing any favors. Perhaps I don't understand Chicago politics, perhaps I do. Bottom line- I STILL find Obama to be truer to being a 'regular guy' than the Bush Cowboy but from Main facade. But I find this entire reach to use Presidential status to get that 'good deal' for the President's prior home town - a cheap shot. May have cost in part 2012 ELECTION !

A poignant slap in the face to the old Chicago cronyism and corruption going on… not to mention a nice little PS from the world stage to all the big O’s on their sacrificial boondoggle: We realized you’re impressed, but we’re not so much. Thanks for playing! Blame it on Rio!

Brian, With apologies to Sandra and you, I was rooting for either Madrid or Rio. With the exception of the Willis Tower, The John Hancock Center and the Museum of Science and Industry, the city sucks. It's political corruption makes West Virginia's look mild by comparison. My daughter used to be a competitive figure skater and one of her competitions brought her to Chicago. The suburban rinks were so far and spread out that it cost her a few placements. Instead of using their expressway system which was in a state of constant jam, we used side routes with traffic lights that got us faster. Hospitality? O'hare was a nightmare. I couldn't get gas at an Amoco because the attendant was yapping on his phone. I had to go to a Clark's across the street. Or how about a current senator from that state that said that a judical candidate was blocked because he was a Latino? Chicago's bid operated on a wing and a prayer. Where would be the Olympic Stadium be? The area is so flat that the kayaking facilities would be several hundred miles away. With the corruption, it might be ready for 2020,2024... Some of us watch the derby between Vasco De Gama and Flamingo and it's scary some times, but fun. That's why Rio won.

I used to run my small business in Chicago but moved it away because of the corruption and the perpetual "lean" on businesses to pay off politicians or suffer numerous "inspections." I still go to Chicago for arts but can't park on the streets anymore because the streets have been sold and you have to pay 6.50/hour to park even on Sunday. Chicago does not deserve the Olympics. Congratulations to Brazil.

Rio got it and deserved it. The Brazilians had Pele but no Micheal Jordon for the Chicago Delagation. Word I hear this morning,is that the Obama Delagation sounded overplayed from what I heard on Fox and Friends this morning. Thus far Oprah hasn't said anything but Chicago is realing in shock and I believe there are some in Chicago breathing a sigh of relief.

Surprized? you are kidding right? Chicago is a overcrowded dirty crime-ridden city that doesn't have the capacity for it's own people let alone an olympics. Madrid is a more respectable city with much better history, a great backdrop for olympic stories. Typical Obama, trying to take care of his cronies in Chicago, just disgusting.