White House Lobbies Hard for 2016 Olympics
Posted in Main Blog (All Posts) on May 12th, 2009 4:36 am by HL
White House Lobbies Hard for 2016 Olympics
The White House “is playing an unprecedented role in the bid to bring the 2016 Summer Olympics to Chicago, with top adviser Valerie Jarrett spearheading an effort that draws on the international symbolism of his presidency,” reports Politico.
“Any president would have an interest in helping an American city win an Olympic bid. But none has been as closely associated with an Olympic proposal as Obama, and the emerging effort by the White House is unusually pointed in its attempt to wrap the campaign around the president and his appealing image abroad — a strategy veteran Olympics watchers say is paying dividends and could result in an enormous hometown farewell party if Obama wins a second term.”
Crist’s Run Sets Off Scramble
With Florida Gov. Charlie Crist’s (R) expected announcement today that he’ll run for the U.S. Senate, Florida will be led “by a bunch of lame ducks” for the next 18 months, observes the Miami Herald.
“Virtually every statewide leader in Tallahassee, beginning with Crist, is expected to be seeking higher office. Crist’s anticipated announcement… will trigger one of the most chaotic and wide open election seasons ever in Florida.”
The Washington Post notes the decision also has national implications “and says a great deal about the current political landscape, from Republicans rebuilding efforts to the treacherous political position for governors heading into 2010.”
The New York Times notes Crist could win the seat in Washington, “even as he contributed to widespread Republican losses at the state level.”
