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863 days ago

Axelrod blames Chicago loss on IOC politics

mug.mooney

(CNN) – Top White House aide David Axelrod is blaming the city of Chicago's shocking early elimination to host the 2016 Olympics on internal politics within the International Olympic Committee.

"I don't view this as a repudiation of the president or the first lady," Axelrod told CNN. "I think that there are politics everywhere, and there are politics inside that room."

Axelrod's comments came shortly after the IOC announced Chicago was the first city of the four finalists to be eliminated from contention. The early elimination came after in-person appeals from both Obamas on behalf of the city.

"As with any process like this, there are all kinds of crosscurrents in the room," Axelrod added. "There are relationships…the president of the IOC, former president, was heading up the effort for Spain. I'm sure those relationships meant something. I'm not an expert on the internal machinations of the IOC."


Filed under: David Axelrod • Olympics
soundoff (53 Responses)
  1. Wake Up

    Maybe they are racists! Axelrod, you valerie jarret and obama are dem machine failures and hacks. Go away you liar.

    October 2, 2009 12:58 pm at 12:58 pm |
  2. Debby

    Baloney Axy, no one wants to come to Thug City where your Entertainer in Chief resides.

    October 2, 2009 12:59 pm at 12:59 pm |
  3. fat man

    Politics! How shocking,

    The arrogance of the Obamas has no bounds.

    October 2, 2009 12:59 pm at 12:59 pm |
  4. Dwight Frye

    Now let's play the race card.

    October 2, 2009 01:00 pm at 1:00 pm |
  5. Rudy

    It was probably a racist decision.

    October 2, 2009 01:00 pm at 1:00 pm |
  6. Brian - Trinidad

    What about the "He's black" excuse? Is that getting stale now?

    October 2, 2009 01:01 pm at 1:01 pm |
  7. Proud Member..Party of No

    lolol....man, what a loser Obama and his gigantic wife are.

    October 2, 2009 01:01 pm at 1:01 pm |
  8. J.P.

    Yes, the IOC are clearly all racists.

    October 2, 2009 01:02 pm at 1:02 pm |
  9. i want my finger back

    ioc is racist.

    October 2, 2009 01:03 pm at 1:03 pm |
  10. Angus McDugan

    It's always someone else.

    October 2, 2009 01:03 pm at 1:03 pm |
  11. TH - ATL

    Why do people creat an issue just so Obama does not get blamed for something. This guy needs to be held accountable just as everyone else! Is the fact that the Olympics are not coming to Chicago his fault. No, but him spending hundreds of thousands of dollars from the American tax payers money is his fault.

    October 2, 2009 01:03 pm at 1:03 pm |
  12. LacrosseMom(stuck in moderation)

    Doesn't matter whose at fault. It is what it is. Thank you, President & Mrs. Obama for the work you did to help bring the Olympics to Chicago.

    October 2, 2009 01:04 pm at 1:04 pm |
  13. Kyle

    I think this might be my favorite part of the Obama administration so far, when things go bad there are other factors and other factors to blame but when things go well... all hail obama.

    This was first shown when the markets dove in March, it was all bush's economy Obama had no effect on the markets, then in April and May when it started jumping it was because of Obama.

    This olympics example is case in point, once Obama was done wasting our time and money on a failed bid, it was blamed on the IOC, but if he had brought the olympics to Chicago he would have been heralded as the greatest president, the man who single handedly brought the olympics to his home town.

    As long as the administration keeps this up it will be hard for anybody not to see through Obama's empty statements and his inability to take credit for mistakes hes made

    October 2, 2009 01:05 pm at 1:05 pm |
  14. W. Invalide

    The Spinmeister sings!

    October 2, 2009 01:05 pm at 1:05 pm |
  15. Angus McDugan

    Come on Axelrod, don't you think the recent images of violence in Chicago didn't hurt, or the world did not want to appear to be bowing to Obama.

    October 2, 2009 01:05 pm at 1:05 pm |
  16. John Gillett

    Jeez, maybe the IOC is racist, like everybody else who disagrees with Obama.

    October 2, 2009 01:06 pm at 1:06 pm |
  17. Annie, Atlanta

    I'm sorry to hear this. It would have been a job stimulator for Chicago and the surrounding area. But there were so many Chicagoans who didn't want the games, that maybe this is for the best.

    October 2, 2009 01:07 pm at 1:07 pm |
  18. Mike

    Just maybe the IOC saw the video of the teen beaten to death on the streets of Chicago and found in more than "chilling" as Obama stated.

    October 2, 2009 01:07 pm at 1:07 pm |
  19. NOT THE KINDA GUY TO SAY I TOLD YOU SO, BUT I TOLD YOU SO

    Shut up you sore loser. Just admit it obama failed! He is a failure in whatever he does, since being prez.

    October 2, 2009 01:07 pm at 1:07 pm |
  20. Dar

    Way to go Axelrod, stick up for your man who failed again, you sound like a little kid crying that it wasnt his fault he lost. What a dork. Go drink some kool aid and take a nap.
    God Bless All

    October 2, 2009 01:28 pm at 1:28 pm |
  21. Dutch/Bad Newz, VA

    I smelled politics in the decision as well. I still think Michael Jordan should've made the pitch. Who is going to deny him?

    October 2, 2009 02:56 pm at 2:56 pm |
  22. Tammy

    Why not ask Axelrod to open up about his involvement with Michelle Obama to push the poor from using the emergency room at Michelle's employer?

    October 2, 2009 02:58 pm at 2:58 pm |
  23. redneck

    Obama thinks he's some sort of god. Fortunately the rest of the world has him pegged as a" lightweight" unlike the fawning libs in this country!

    October 2, 2009 03:06 pm at 3:06 pm |
  24. Axelrod = Dim Bulb

    The ultimate irony in sour grapes since the French lost a wine contest in the mid-1970s to California.  What White House has ever indulged in more elbow-throwing for its pet causes than the Obama White House, after all?  Just this week, we heard from a Democratic challenger in the Colorado primary that revealed an attempt to buy him out of the race with a position at USAID.  Complaining about politics from this White House is like the Yankees griping about being put at a disadvantage from the free-agent system.

    And yet, here we have David Axelrod, attempting to recover from the dumbest political gaffe of the administration by blaming the very international politics Barack Obama tried to exploit.

    October 2, 2009 03:12 pm at 3:12 pm |
  25. Jim from SoCal

    At least the IOC knows an empty suit when they see one.....

    October 2, 2009 03:12 pm at 3:12 pm |
  26. Dally

    The anger of people shown on Town meeting & lack of
    respect of people in congress shown all over the world to the President was more than scary to be in Chicago or any part of America. Vicious people seems to be on peoples mind. It does not look safe to be in America. What ever happened to American people is a question that people in all part of the world is asking? If your people in congress will behave civilize like most people in other part of the world to their president, people in other parts of the world would not feel in danger to be in America.

    October 2, 2009 03:17 pm at 3:17 pm |
  27. Shadysider

    Chicago didn't stand a chance next to Rio. Can anyone say they wouldn't rather see an olympics there?

    October 2, 2009 03:30 pm at 3:30 pm |
  28. Justin

    As much as I like to see Chicago to get the 2016 Olympic, I think Rio deserves it because there should be one in a South American city (none so far). The spirit of the Olympic lives on.....

    October 2, 2009 03:32 pm at 3:32 pm |
  29. Fitz in Texas

    Blame blame blame. Never your fault..... right Democrats.

    October 2, 2009 03:34 pm at 3:34 pm |
  30. Veronica in DC

    It makes sense that Rio de Janeiro won the IOC bid for the 2016 Olympics. Despite what from all accounts was a very touching personal appeal by Mrs. Obama, Brazil had arguably the most compelling argument in that if chosen it would be the first country to hold the games in the South American continent. The games are meant to be all-inclusive and to reflect the global sporting community. We should congratulate Brazil and share in their excitement for what their victory means on an international level. Then we should encourage our American athletes to get training to bring home the gold, no matter whose turf we compete on!

    October 2, 2009 03:42 pm at 3:42 pm |
  31. Fox News RULES

    "Shocked"? I'm not shocked. Please stop saying shocked. It is sooo Not shocking. Our arrogant, non-leader president has made us all look stupid and arrogant.

    This result was all too predictable.

    October 2, 2009 03:44 pm at 3:44 pm |
  32. Victim of conservative ignorance..Texas..

    Axlerod said he isn't an 'expert'. So why are ya'll quoting him?

    On another note. I am glad the Prez went, way better than just hiding out in the oval office doing nothing, and then going on another 'working' vacation in Crawford. At least he was out there making us look good, and trying to get some work for the folks involved in preparing for a Chicago olympics.

    Now I want to see how Brazil handles the slums of Rio. Maybe this is a blessing for the homeless orphans that are sleeping on the sidewalks there.

    October 2, 2009 03:49 pm at 3:49 pm |
  33. kaleto

    I guess Rio's bribe to the IOC was bigger than Chicago's.

    October 2, 2009 03:57 pm at 3:57 pm |
  34. indy

    lol what a clown, but I guess he would be the resident expert on shaft politics, this guy is as filthy as they come.

    October 2, 2009 04:00 pm at 4:00 pm |
  35. John

    This Proves –——— THE WORLD DOES NOT LIKE AMERICA.

    IOC Members Voted – WE DID NOT GET ENOUGH VOTES.- It was not politics, but a fair secret ballot voting. Let us accept defeat in true Sportsmanship.

    BUSH and GOP have DOOMED AMERICA’S REPUTATION and MADE MORE ENEMIES THAN FRIENDS.

    CHICAGO lost because of the failed foreign policies of the past 8 years.

    GO OBAMA GO – Please Rebuild our Lost Reputation, which has been Ruined by Bush and GOP. :|

    October 2, 2009 04:06 pm at 4:06 pm |
  36. Marshall

    Tap Dancing at its finest

    October 2, 2009 04:25 pm at 4:25 pm |
  37. Carlos

    Would you like some cheese with your wine and excuses?

    October 2, 2009 04:34 pm at 4:34 pm |
  38. Alex in Atlanta

    No way!!!!! Mr. Axelrod, I truly believe it was the “right wing conspiracy” or, just you said many times before “Bush’s fault”

    Moron

    October 2, 2009 04:42 pm at 4:42 pm |
  39. Alice

    Oh, please!

    There has never been an Olympics in the entire continent of South America.

    It was simply Rio's time.

    October 2, 2009 04:56 pm at 4:56 pm |
  40. Four and The Door

    Maybe it wasn't the best city on the list for that event. Just a thought...

    October 2, 2009 05:01 pm at 5:01 pm |
  41. M Nixon

    Obama's arrogance and the media hyping the Chicago 'Dream' team being a sure thing killed this for Chicago.

    Reports that most Chicagoans didn't want the Olympics there anyways because they knew the city couldn't afford it got buried till after the loss was announced.

    Shouldn't Barry be more concerned about the troops getting killed in Afghanistan because of his inablility to make decisions? Shouldn't he be more focused on fixing rising unemployment and the economy?

    No, he just wanted to grease the palms in Chicago of the people who got him elected.

    The IOC, like the rest of the world doesn't see Obama as the savior, just a sucker which they haven't had since Jimmy Carter.

    October 2, 2009 05:08 pm at 5:08 pm |
  42. Albo58

    WOW, David Axelrod blaming failure on politics! This parasite owes his existance to politics. Strangely though, he allowed this President to go to Copenhagan without having this IOC selection in the bag. Guess his loyalty is slightly higher for his company than his President!

    October 2, 2009 05:11 pm at 5:11 pm |
  43. New Era

    We need to address Chicago true issues.

    October 2, 2009 05:19 pm at 5:19 pm |
  44. Lola

    And the city and state down by almost $100 million for its effort to bid....can anyone explain? Who paid for it? Oprah? Valerie Jarrett? Ah, the taxpayers!

    October 2, 2009 05:19 pm at 5:19 pm |
  45. 2010 can't get here fast enough

    Axelfraud and sniffit are one in the same, it is always someone else's fault.

    MMMMMM, MMMMMMM Obama, boy this Kool-aid is good today.

    For the first time in my adult life I am proud of the mean old Olympic committee who didn't see the shared sacrifice that MEchelle, Barry and Okrah made "for the childen".

    Christmas and my birthday all rolled into one, MMMM, MMM happy.

    October 2, 2009 05:20 pm at 5:20 pm |
  46. Stu

    Quit sourgraping already. The U.S. has hosted more Olympics than any other country. Do the Obama thing and spread the wealth around. Things work better when we do! Obama said so.

    October 2, 2009 05:34 pm at 5:34 pm |
  47. Carioca

    Considering that Brazil never hosted the Olympics, consider we lost our bid for 2012, consider the USA have hosted Olympics ... the IOC does not base its selection on presidential popularity, should this have been the case, president Lula would not have won the bid for Rio de Janeiro as he is not very popular with his people. Mr Axelrod is incorrect on his statement because it was already known both in south america and europe that Rio had the best shot at it ! .. just in the USA the buzz was Chicago.

    October 2, 2009 05:40 pm at 5:40 pm |
  48. Idiot_Pelosi

    Axlerod is a big, corrupt idiot.

    OBUMMER is arrogant and the US paid the price.

    Make all the excuses you want Axlerod, you came in DEAD LAST.

    October 2, 2009 05:45 pm at 5:45 pm |
  49. WrongKindofChange

    What Axelrod meant to say was that the "Corrupt Chicago Politics" didn't seem to mean squat on the international level. Looks like Chicago's dirty politics couldn't reach the IOC.

    October 2, 2009 05:54 pm at 5:54 pm |
  50. Tucklady

    Oh give me a break and quit whining.

    At least the Obamas tried to get the Olympics back to the U.S. Give the President some respect- we put up with Bush talking and acting like an idiot for 8 years. Barack has only been president for 9 months- he can't fix it all quickly- no one can.

    So what if you don't like him and didn't vote for him. Get over it. You can always run Palin in 2012!

    October 2, 2009 05:56 pm at 5:56 pm |
  51. WrongKindofChange

    I'm thinking Axelrod and Obama are wishing they had an international ACORN on their side when it came to the IOC vote. Looks like the Chicago corrupt and dirty politics doesn't work on the international level.

    October 2, 2009 05:57 pm at 5:57 pm |
  52. Fnord-a-saurus Rex

    Like any one of these Obama haters even watches the Olymipics.

    Everybody is just looking for another reason to hate on Obama. Go away!! at least Obama is trying to do things that benefit this country, while the Republicans, all they want is big business and war.

    October 2, 2009 05:57 pm at 5:57 pm |
  53. the olympic committee has never been all that clean to begin with

    as the mormons about the salt lake city games

    I'm sure the pres of Brazil had some fine prostitues with him when he visited and made sure the committee got the full treatment just before they voted

    October 2, 2009 05:58 pm at 5:58 pm |