ABC News: The First Lady & Oprah Make Olympic Bid

[Turborama]

Run time: 02:31 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJZK5poYdIA   Posted on YouTube: October 01, 2009 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: October 01, 2009 By DU Member: Turborama Views on DU: 593

 
Compared to the Muppet show of the previous past 8 years, how can anyone feel anything other than pride when seeing this?

Michelle Obama Meets IOC President, Pushes Chicago for 2016 Olympics
First Lady Michelle Obama and Oprah Campaign in Copenhagen for Hometown
By YUNJI de NIES, KAREN TRAVERS and SUNLEN MILLER
COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Oct. 1, 2009

It's less than 24 hours before the Obamas make their final presentation to the International Olympic Committee to push Chicago for the 2016 Olympics, and White House officials say the first lady is still adjusting and working on her remarks.

Michelle Obama has been holding a flurry of one-on-one closed door, 15 minute meetings with IOC members. This morning she met with IOC President Jacque Rogge, probably one of the most sought-after leaders in the sports world this week. White House Senior Adviser Valerie Jarrett said the Chicago-native is "speaking from the heart" to seal the deal.

"So many of them said they're not just selecting a city. They are selecting people because this is really about relationships. Well, the first lady is an extraordinary ambassador for the United States and I think that she is connecting with everybody that she's had the privilege and honor to meet," Jarrett told ABC News in Copenhagen. "It's about building trust and building a relationship and also it's about recognizing that you can't take a vote for granted."

On the 2008 campaign trail, Mrs. Obama earned the nickname "the closer" because she could deliver key last minute votes for her husband. Jarrett says Mrs. Obama needs to tap into those strengths again. "We were teasing her this morning and we said, 'Well, it's time for the closer to come out again,'" Jarrett said with a laugh.

The first lady is leading the U.S. delegation to bring the 2016 Olympic games to Chicago, a delegation that includes some star athletes and some very high powered help.

"I'm sort of an ambassador, am I not?" A laughing Oprah Winfrey said. "I've appointed myself ambassador for Chicago."

Mrs. Obama has likened the trip to the presidential campaign. From the moment her feet touched the ground here in Denmark, the first lady has been in campaign mode, lending her clout to Chicago's bid for the 2016 Olympic Summer Games.

More: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/obamas-push-win-2016-olympic-bid/story?id=8720746

[swilton]

1. I disagree that the Olympics Would be Beneficial

to Chicago. Having the Olympic games there is a form of colonialism - furthermore it does massive damage to the environment.:thumbsdown:

[Turborama]

2. Care to elaborate?

I'm not trying to be argumentative, just asking out of interest in hearing where you're coming from regarding the issues you raise...

[swilton]

4. Privatization of the Olympic games, environmental impact, et.al.

Thank you for soliciting a further comment as I'm not really that adept at participation in DU, etc. I read this really great article through Truthout.org by Anne Elizabeth Moore entitled 'The Invisible Fourth Pillar'....Here's the link

http://www.truthout.org/090309R

or just go to
Truthout.org

which was one of my favorite resources before I became (sort of) active on DU.

You can search the truthout archives in case this link doesn't take you there.....A couple of Moore's arguments Olympic games are really methods of massive privatization schemes; the poor may/may not benefit but only temporarily. The studies that are conducted to ensure environmental impact of the games are conducted and sponsored by guess who? those who stand to benefit from holding the games. So of course the environmental impact studies come out endorsing what the big corporations want them to find...very little transparency in the process.

And as one of the other comments on this thread indicates, Why isn't Oprah coming out for health care? I never watch her anyway - but that is a good question.

[Turborama]

5. Thanks for the link

A long and interesting article. We'll find out either way in 5 or so hours.

I haven't looked at Truth Out for a while and there's some other really interesting articles linked to in the sidebar, too.

On the Oprah thing, I was thinking that myself for the past few weeks, I suspect she's been told by Emanuel to keep out of it. That's the only reason I can think of.

[Selena Harris]

3. Olympic Games of Health Reform

WHY hasn't Oprah come out in favor of public option or single payer?

Do her adoring fans never get sick ?

Are they ALL insured?