Obama Making Pitch For Olympics as Health-care Strategy Moves Ahead
White House press secretary Robert Gibbs dismissed suggestions Obama was making the trip because it involves his adopted hometown.
“I dont think there is any doubt that the president is enormously proud of Chicago,” Gibbs said today. “If it had been Los Angeles, I think the notion that the president would have done less because it was a different U.S. city just doesnt hold a lot of water.”
Two weeks ago Obama said he was too occupied by the fight over revamping the U.S. health-care system, his top domestic priority, and would send first lady Michelle Obama to make the U.S. pitch before the International Olympic Committee. The administration announced this morning that the president will attend the Oct. 2 final presentation to the IOC. Chicago is competing against Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo.
Gibbs said that Obama decided to go, in part, because he now believes the health-care debate is “in a better place” than it was several weeks ago. He also said the games would provide the U.S. with a “big economic benefit” worthy of the presidents time.
Strengthening Bid
Valerie Jarrett, a senior presidential adviser, said in an interview today that having the president in Copenhagen could be essential to Chicago winning the games. “It strengthens our bid,” she said. “There is nothing like the president expressing what it means to him.”
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, King Juan Carlos of Spain, and Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez are also scheduled to be in Copenhagen. Tokyo is urging new Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama to attend.
Michelle Obama, in an interview today at the White House, said the U.S. “cant take anything for granted” in making the case to win the Olympic Games. She and Jarrett, who has led the White Houses Olympics lobbying effort, are scheduled to arrive in Copenhagen on Sept. 30.
Gibbs was asked about Chicagos reputation as a city plagued by political scandal.
“The onus is on the city to ensure that whatever money is used is spent wisely and efficiently,” he said in response to a question at the daily White House briefing.
Obamas decision to make the trip will add star power to a U.S. delegation that already includes the first lady, television host Oprah Winfrey, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Education Secretary Arne Duncan.