Contrary to all predictions, President Barack Obama's adopted hometown of Chicago has lost its bid to host the 2016 Olympics. Chicago was eliminated in the first round of voting despite the president flying to Copenhagen to make a personal plea. Or maybe because he did.

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In his presentation to the International Olympic Committee Mr. Obama did what the American people are so very used to him doing - he made it all about him and squeezed in some America bashing while he was at it. He spoke of his own life story and how he was moved around as a child and "never really had roots" but in Chicago, "I finally found a home." (source)

He also promised that the "full force of the White House" would be applied so "visitors from all around the world feel welcome and will come away with a sense of the incredible diversity of the American people...Over the last several years, sometimes that fundamental truth about the United States has been lost...One of the legacies, I think, of this Olympic Games in Chicago would be a restoration of that understanding of what the United States is all about and the United States' recognition of how we are linked to the world." (source) It was the usual Obama speech pointing out what's wrong with America and claiming that he, and only he, can make it right.

Many people, including myself, believed that President Obama's trip to Denmark was a waste of presidential time and resources whether Chicago was awarded the games or not. Leave it to him to make it more than a waste of time. His presentation was also a slap in the face to the country he was supposed to represent.

And to add injury to insult, Mr. Obama proved just how ridiculous his priorities are. After spending hours lobbying for Chicago, he summoned his top commander in Afghanistan for a 25 minute meeting aboard Air Force One. (source) Bringing the Olympics to his corrupt hometown despite the objection of half its residents is worth more of his time and energy than meeting with General Stanley McChrystal to review and develop a strategy for the war.