June 22, 2009
Posted: June 22nd, 2009 04:03 PM ET

From
President Obama has to decide about the World Cup, Gibbs said.
President Obama has to decide about the World Cup, Gibbs said.

(CNN) - President Obama has plans meet with FIFA President Sepp Blatter, but has yet to decide if he will attend next year's World Cup in South Africa.

"I'm told for scheduling that the president has accepted a meeting with the head of FIFA World Cup but that we have not yet all together made plans," White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said Monday in response to an ESPN report that the president had already committed to attending the event.

But Gibbs, who noted he was a soccer player in college, joked that he and a handful of other staffers are urging the president to go.

"I can assure you a small group have assembled in order to move the president in that direction," he said.

Filed under: President Obama


Jim   June 22nd, 2009 5:29 pm ET

more republicans spouting tripe. why don't they see that fostering good feelings is just as important as official state functions.

and when will these republicans offer up any ... ANY ... solutions.

they are still proving they are the party of no

ThinkAboutIt   June 22nd, 2009 5:28 pm ET

I don't think President Obama should go – the World Cup is always a security nightmare. Best to just watch it on the telly at home.

Jc of Ohio   June 22nd, 2009 5:25 pm ET

Golly gee folks

Someone commented that ...
"Please, Mr. Obama, people are suffering, and now you're thinking of flying overseas for a soccer match. "

So what did you have to say after Katrina when GWB was too busy because he was at a BBQ celebrating McCains birthday?

As far as him (Obama) taking his wife out to dinner or his kids for frozen yogurt ...
How do you know he didn't pay for it out of his own pocket?

He does have a salary you know!

Susan   June 22nd, 2009 5:22 pm ET

Yes, he should go and enjoy the party. and go on a big date.....how abt a burger lunch?

McCain was right. he is a celebrity... but still i do not have a choice except to vote for a Dem..... because Repubs are more crap......and their cheerleaders Rush, Glenn and Hannity chase me towards Dems.

Zero.   June 22nd, 2009 5:20 pm ET

But they play Footie in Europe. When did you ever invite europe to your Sports?

citizenjane   June 22nd, 2009 5:18 pm ET

Classy 57, June 22nd, 2009, 4:09
---------------------

Are you for real? Congratulations on the most ignorant comment of the day.

Mike, Syracuse, NY   June 22nd, 2009 5:17 pm ET

Don't worry, he'll go. He hasn't apologized to South Africa yet.

Educate yourselves before you open your mouth and just let the words fall out   June 22nd, 2009 5:17 pm ET

@ Marc in Virginia

"Dinners with Joe" . . . well, he IS the VP and all.
"family vacations" . . . . one very short one. Maybe a couple of days at best
"date nights" . . . . yeah, a couple
"ice cream at Dairy Grandmother's" . . . .yeah, with his daughters on FATHERS DAY!

You, sir, are the "dummy"! How many times did you complain while Bush was on vacation in Crawford?????!!!!!!

Liberals have Mental Disease   June 22nd, 2009 5:12 pm ET

We could be talking about Gerald Walpin but we are talking about the World Cup??? Is this really politics or is it CNN just promoting this President.

Justin   June 22nd, 2009 5:12 pm ET

I'd run for President if I knew it could get me tickets to the World Cup!

Cue the hate-filled responses   June 22nd, 2009 5:12 pm ET

Hey Dutch...Good to see that you are once again so quick to jump on Republican for being critical of this. Why don't you pick up a history book every once in a while and realize that is has more to do with President Obama being African-American and the World Cup being held in South Africa. You really need to take a break from the ticker every once in a while. Come on out of your Mother's basement and get some fresh air. The musty air down there is making you more and more hateful every day.

Educate yourselves before you open your mouth and just let the words fall out   June 22nd, 2009 5:11 pm ET

So, the nut-job neo-cons responses are:

!. OMG!!! There goes Obama spending OUR money, going OUT of the country, OUT on dates with his wife, blah, blah, blah !!!!!!.

OR

2. That stupid Obama can't commit to anything . . . EVEN going to a Soccer game!!!!!!!

God, you people make me tired.

Dawn in Pa   June 22nd, 2009 5:10 pm ET

Why would he attend the World Cups, that is really stupid... I may voted for him, but right now we have a crisis! I know sometimes you can take a deep breath and say I am home, but yes North Korea can send a missle toward Hawaii and that is not an act of war, can you tell me than what is it? If they can fire a missle can we board their boat? Under the United Nation's Flag...

the folly of the gop continues. . .   June 22nd, 2009 5:10 pm ET

Ready for the republican blast of indignation . . .

Steve   June 22nd, 2009 5:08 pm ET

Gibbs is such a wang.

yuri   June 22nd, 2009 5:02 pm ET

During these days of economic hardships, we think it will be prudent for BHO to set an example by not indulgin' in unnecessary trips in Air Force One.

RealityKing   June 22nd, 2009 5:00 pm ET

DOW -200.72-2.35%
8,339.01

There one thing Obama is obviously committed to.., the end of American's prosperous life style..

RepubliKLANs Are Stupid As Stupid Does   June 22nd, 2009 4:58 pm ET

GW Bush was in Beijing, China at the Olympics last year dancing his behind away at the opening ceremony while the US economy was tanking...and he was on tax payers dime too! – so does that make GW Bush a "socialist?"?

So what's the beef, GOPer's?!!!!

RealityKing   June 22nd, 2009 4:58 pm ET

NK testing nuclear weapons while shipping who knows what to Berma, Iranians being shot down in cold blood for voicing their opinons, ABC pushing an unsustainable national healthcare that will only cover an additional 17 million, while the Obama administration jokes about his trip to South Africa. What a joke our progressively state run media has become!!

Independent in Virginia   June 22nd, 2009 4:57 pm ET

Wow! It almost worked! The headline of this article distracted me from the big red -200 next to the letters DOW on CNN's front page for about 5 minutes.

Simmy   June 22nd, 2009 4:57 pm ET

I shudder to think of the multi-contortions Republicans will experience...How much more can they stand? Jealousy is taking them over the edge.....All of their plans for failure are about to bite off their noses.....

jt   June 22nd, 2009 4:57 pm ET

Is Mark Sanford being paid by the state of SC citizens for days he just disappeared from the office?

Marc in Virginia   June 22nd, 2009 4:56 pm ET

You tell 'em, Susie. I'm really getting tired of paying for dinners with Joe, family vacations, date nights, ice cream at Dairy Godmother's, entertaining Lebron James, etc. Doesn't this dummy have a job to do? Please, Mr. Obama, people are suffering, and now you're thinking of flying overseas for a soccer match. I know you think you can do anything you want because you won the election, but I'm asking you as one human being to another, have some sympathy for the rest of us. Please cut back on the partying and do your job.

Scott L   June 22nd, 2009 4:53 pm ET

I love it. Iran in a pivotal moment in its history. N. Korea threatening to launch a missile towards Hawaii (US State if I must remind you) and we are talking about Obama's Soccer plans.

You voted for him! Not me.

Island girl   June 22nd, 2009 4:48 pm ET

Neumann. I feel the same way about some news items too but guess what? I save my wrist from carpal tunnel syndrome and channel my energy by diverting to other topics of more importance. In other words, a cursory glance; a hiss of the teeth, a click of the mouse. No worries, man! By the way, not because you find this un-newsworthy it means the whole world is in your corner.

GuyInVA   June 22nd, 2009 4:46 pm ET

Come on CNN (and the NY Times), cover the REAL news. Where is the president going for burgers and/or ice cream?

J in CA   June 22nd, 2009 4:43 pm ET

Not a soccer "game", the WORLD CUP! Yes a sporting event, but one that the world participates in. And seeing how men bond over sporting events, shouldn't he at least use it as an opprtunity to establish good will

Obama is the Man   June 22nd, 2009 4:40 pm ET

Oh good....this should blow the Republicans mind!

angrysob in VA   June 22nd, 2009 4:38 pm ET

Wow – This takes my mind off being unemployed for 17 weeks.

tee   June 22nd, 2009 4:37 pm ET

Susie
get over it!!!!!!!President Obama has done more work in 5 months then Bush did in eight years. How many flights did Bush take to the Ranch???

Del   June 22nd, 2009 4:37 pm ET

If he can get the world cup yo the US in 2018, that would be an economic boost to where ever the games are played. The Geo-political impact for Africa will also be huge! So very selfish, that is why we are in this mess! The man is smart, from the nature of some these comments, a lot smarter than a lot of people!

Jason   June 22nd, 2009 4:36 pm ET

Geez, this clown acts like he won the lottery or something.

Island girl   June 22nd, 2009 4:34 pm ET

The President could use the opportunity to visit other African nations which have pressing issues to discuss.

rr   June 22nd, 2009 4:31 pm ET

June 22nd, 2009 4:16 pm ET

until south africa reverses its decision and gives a visa to the dahli lama so that he can attend the world peace conference in 2010, i do not want one single tax dollar spent so that our president can attend the world cup in the same country that was segregated not too long ago.

what is a peace conferance without the dahli lama? sounds like south africa is selling out to china. what a nasty ugly shame

I really feel bad for people like you just because you use lama does not means you know the story of south Africa, hope you are not one of those people who think South Africa is the capital city of Africa

RNC = DNC = politics as usual   June 22nd, 2009 4:28 pm ET

Umbama cannot even decide on a soccer game. How ill he ever have an opinion on Iran?

Middle man   June 22nd, 2009 4:28 pm ET

People are foaming at the mouth and the President has not even agreed. It must be tough getting up in the morning.

Alfred E. Neumann   June 22nd, 2009 4:26 pm ET

Wow, caught me by surprise.

If it's useless news, CNN's your source!

Shari, NY   June 22nd, 2009 4:25 pm ET

Soccer – known to the rest of the world as football – is an extremely popular sport on just about every continent (not to mention in the islands). People are just as passionate about it as they are about the Olympics, which by the way George Bush and Laura, along with many other world leaders attended in Beijing last year. Pres. Obama should neither be coerced into going nor should he be criticized if, on the other hand, he wishes to attend. If he opts out then I believe a very high ranking official should go in his place.

Susie   June 22nd, 2009 4:22 pm ET

This glory jockey will go to the Cup in Africa cause he LOVES to fly on Air Force One, get his picture taken and SPEND OUR dollars. Another DATE TRIP Mr. OH???? You betcha. Meanwhile he's not criticizing Iran is he? Guess he wants a chance to go visit and bow to the disgraceful regime. So he'll take 4 airplanes to Africa so he doesn't have to spend any time in the WHITE??? House and WORK!!!!

BD-   June 22nd, 2009 4:21 pm ET

Please let Obama go to those important and International games.
I am looking forward to see him there, Here is the agenda i will send to the WH to help them. Obama should visit Congo, Senegal, before souh Africa, Visit Kenya after the games
The rest is confidential

hej   June 22nd, 2009 4:20 pm ET

Seriously? With all the world events going on, it seems so trifling to discuss football, basketball, and now soccer in these press conferences...economic recovery must be going very, very, very well....

jt   June 22nd, 2009 4:20 pm ET

Where is Mark Sanford?

Melissa   June 22nd, 2009 4:18 pm ET

Why would I care? He can go do what he wants.

Jon in CA   June 22nd, 2009 4:17 pm ET

Wow – I'm so glad we're getting updates on Obama's sporting event calendar!!

This makes me feel so much better than hearing any REAL news about North Korea launching missiles, Iranian soldiers killing protestors, the spiking of oil prices and the impending negative impact on our economy.

Yes – let's hear MORE about Obama's struggle on whether to attend the World Cup event or not!

Jeremiah, Minneapolis   June 22nd, 2009 4:16 pm ET

If it helps get the 2018 CUP here I'm all for it.

the southern progressive   June 22nd, 2009 4:16 pm ET

until south africa reverses its decision and gives a visa to the dahli lama so that he can attend the world peace conference in 2010, i do not want one single tax dollar spent so that our president can attend the world cup in the same country that was segregated not too long ago.

what is a peace conferance without the dahli lama? sounds like south africa is selling out to china. what a nasty ugly shame

Jack   June 22nd, 2009 4:15 pm ET

As well we should.. people can't pay their bills, stay in their homes, or get adequate healthcare, and he is thinking about attending a soccer match halfway around the world on our dime? He spends more time traveling to other countries than he does to leading this one!

Bill P   June 22nd, 2009 4:14 pm ET

Does South Africa have a Muslim news agency that needs a one on one interview?

Classy 57   June 22nd, 2009 4:09 pm ET

This is worth the cost to us taxpayers!!!!! Give me a break and tell this man that to run this country he should stop spending money on dates with his wife and trips to events only celebs can afford!!!! His wasteful ways are disgusting to this taxpayer. I'd like to see him at least do what Jimmy Carter did - put a sweater on to conserve - instead of sending millions of emails to voters asking them to volunteer - volunteer for what, Mr. President? Possibly to support another unemployed citizen!

Dutch/Bad Newz, VA   June 22nd, 2009 4:06 pm ET

Oh no. The republicans will have a hissy fit if the President decides he wants to see a soccer game at the taxpayers expense.

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