Barack Obama has devoted considerable resources and political capital on the international stage to Chicago's bid for hosting the 2016 Olympics.
The Wall Street Journal reports that the Obama administration lobbied nations at the UN General Assembly, the G-20 summit, and a reception for African diplomats. Most prominently, the President and Michelle Obama personally met with the International Olympic Committee to lobby for Chicago's bid.
And Chicago lost.
For those who thought America's image in the world had changed for the better and that it would result in benefits for our country, this is further evidence that the international politics and foreign policy is more than about personalities.
Obama may be liked overseas, but that pales in comparison to awarding the Olympics (Rio de Janeiro won) for the first time to a South American nation and to snubbing America while doing so.
Moreover, the President is spending a meaningful amount of time and effort to do his hometown a favor while pressing matters weigh on the nation such as Iran's nuclear program and winning the war in Afghanistan.
The Wall Street Journal reports that the Obama administration lobbied nations at the UN General Assembly, the G-20 summit, and a reception for African diplomats. Most prominently, the President and Michelle Obama personally met with the International Olympic Committee to lobby for Chicago's bid.
And Chicago lost.
For those who thought America's image in the world had changed for the better and that it would result in benefits for our country, this is further evidence that the international politics and foreign policy is more than about personalities.
Obama may be liked overseas, but that pales in comparison to awarding the Olympics (Rio de Janeiro won) for the first time to a South American nation and to snubbing America while doing so.
Moreover, the President is spending a meaningful amount of time and effort to do his hometown a favor while pressing matters weigh on the nation such as Iran's nuclear program and winning the war in Afghanistan.
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