Obama On His Copenhagen Jaunt: Sleep, Land, Speak, Fly Back
EmailABC News' Sunlen Miller and Jake Tapper report:
Apparently referring to his pending flight to Copenhagen, President Obama described his short jaunt to fight for the Chicago 2016 Olympic bid during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Rasmussen today in the Oval Office.
“I’ve got so much to do here,” Obama said in hushed tones to Rasmussen, “So, I will sleep on the plane. I’ll land. I’ll speak. Then fly right back.”
The president will spend just three hours on the ground in Copenhagen on Friday – but will spend nine hours – each way — on the flight flying between Washington, DC, and Denmark.
He will return to the White House Friday afternoon.
Previously, the President said that he likely could not go to fight for his adopted hometown because of his busy domestic schedule.
“I'm in the middle of some very important decisions around health care,'' Obama said during an interview with Bloomberg. He added that he is "obviously still working on the issue of financial regulation. It may not be a time where I can just devote a couple of days to fly over there.''
Yesterday White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said that the President made the decision to travel to Copenhagen because he felt the domestic agenda was making progress.
“I think the president believes health care is in better shape. I believe he felt strongly and personally that he should go and make the case for the United States. And that's what he's going to do…..I think he believes health care is in a better place, he also believes it's important for him to go and personally try to persuade the International Olympic Committee to pick the United States in 2016.”
-Sunlen Miller and Jake Tapper
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—A prediction: President Obama will add a “surprise” visit to Afghanistan to his Olympics-lobbying trip to Copenhagen.
The preisident and his advisers must realize, in Mark McKinnon’s words, that “people elected Obama to be president–not the head of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce,” that a large part of being president is being commander-in-chief, and that it’s not good that Obama appears to have plenty of time for everything–David Letterman, Democratic fundraisers, Olympics-lobbying jaunts–except Afghanistan, just as he’s about to decide whether to commit tens of thousands more troops there. In addition, Obama’s never been to Afghanistan as president, and–we now know–apparently has spoken to General Stanley McChrystal only ONCE by video-teleconference since McChrystal assumed command there.
David Axelrod and Rahm Emanuel aren’t stupid: Expect to see Barack Obama get on the plane after his session with the International Olympics Committee at mid-day Friday Copenhagen time, and be in Afghanistan with our troops five hours later, IN TIME FOR THE EVENING NEWS Friday here in the U.S.—
Posted by: I'm Not a President, but I Play One on TV | September 29, 2009, 1:52 pm 1:52 pm
Posted by: I’m Not a President, but I Play One on TV | Sep 29, 2009 1:52:48 PM
Very good point.
“Yesterday White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said that the President made the decision to travel to Copenhagen because he felt the domestic agenda was making progress.”
I’m not sure if this is (a.) suspension of reality, (b.) a blatant lie, or (c.) poor judgement/incompetence, (d.) all of the above.
Posted by: tjp612 | September 29, 2009, 1:58 pm 1:58 pm
Chicago doesn’t even want the Olympics. It’s going to be a disaster for the city but somehow Daley and the city Democrats will make a fortune off of it.
Posted by: drjohn | September 29, 2009, 1:58 pm 1:58 pm
Maybe Obama will make the American team in the Olympics a Socialist team.
The American team will be fully owned by the Federal government and wait months to cut through bureaucratic red tape, to obtain State approval to compete in the various events.
Posted by: Ken | September 29, 2009, 2:20 pm 2:20 pm
I agree totally with “I’m Not a President”. Needs to “smooth” that one over now that everyone knows about it! And seriously, the Olympics in Chicago?? I’ve heard the same that the people of Chicago don’t even want them. I think the $$ spent to run Obama to Copenhagen could be better used, maybe for more troops in Afganistan or maybe it could be used to pay a couple yearly salaries for teachers!
Posted by: huskermomof3 | September 29, 2009, 2:21 pm 2:21 pm
Doing what he does best.
Reading prepared speeches from a teleprompter.
Will Copenhagen be blessed with the story of Obama’s life? Half of Obama’s speeches are about him, one-fourth apologizing for America, one-fourth about the topic.
It’s always about him.
Posted by: ollie | September 29, 2009, 2:31 pm 2:31 pm
How will Obama win over the Olympic Committee?
Blame America for everything, then apologize.
No doubt the MSM will say it was the best Olympic speech ever made by anyone ever in the history of the world.
Posted by: millie | September 29, 2009, 2:35 pm 2:35 pm
Now that America is waking up I pray the rest of the world will.
I hope the Olypic Committee is not starstruck and lets the Olympics go to a country that has never had them before.
We’ve had our turn.
It would be a shame to make the decision
because of Obama.
Obama’s head is already huge.
Posted by: max | September 29, 2009, 2:42 pm 2:42 pm
Expect to see Barack Obama get on the plane after his session with the International Olympics Committee at mid-day Friday Copenhagen time, and be in Afghanistan with our troops five hours later, IN TIME FOR THE EVENING NEWS Friday here in the U.S.—
========
Yes, I agree.
Posted by: MayBee | September 29, 2009, 2:44 pm 2:44 pm
Well I hope Obama keeps his stories straight when he gets there. I just read a story that the lady with breast cancer that lost her insurance because she failed to disclose a case of acne (told by the Embellisher-in-Chief) actually failed to disclose a previous heart condition and her real weight.
She got reinstated and had her surgery thanks to a Rep. Congressman from Texas who helped her (I guess that part of the story got left out).
So much for not listening to the myths told about healthcare.
Posted by: Visualize Whirled Peas | September 29, 2009, 2:46 pm 2:46 pm
He believes his agenda is moving along well. Let’s recap: Health Care-Late, Gitmo Closure-Late, Immigration Reform-not even started, Iraq Withdrawal-Late, Afghan Build up-Late, Unemployment-dismal, Economy- struggling, Wall Street- bright spot, but possible bubble. Yeah, take your time Obama, Afghanistan awaits your troop decision. It’s the troops stupid.
Posted by: lfrichar | September 29, 2009, 2:50 pm 2:50 pm
The WH must know what the IOC is planning on saying. Time to pad some pockets of some Chicago friends. Why not send the one person from Chicago that everyone knows…Michael Jordan. Oh wait…don’t give that guy a podium again so soon…
Posted by: jonec1200 | September 29, 2009, 2:54 pm 2:54 pm
Why Chicago?
Because of Oprah and Obama?
The cesspool of political corruption and streets full of teenage thugs and gangs.
How about the slum apartments that Obama and Rezko wasted millions of tax dollars for nothing.
Isn’t there a more deserving place?
Posted by: kyle | September 29, 2009, 3:06 pm 3:06 pm
Does not have time to read the bills he signs, does not have time to meet with HIS general about Afganistan, but has time to fly to Copenhagen to lobby for the Olympics. Well he told us he likes Airforce one and he sure uses it for everything. I’m sure he is sorry that he can’t use the plane to fly across town.
Posted by: Lizzie | September 29, 2009, 3:13 pm 3:13 pm
Well he told us he likes Airforce one and he sure uses it for everything.
Posted by: Lizzie | Sep 29, 2009 3:13:08 PM
Don’t forget that “in advance of every Air Force One flight, the Air Force crew sends C141 Starlifter cargo carrier planes, toting the president’s motorcade, to the destination. This collection of bulletproof limousines and vans, loaded with weaponry, keeps the president safe on the ground.”
Plus expenses…
Posted by: Visualize Whirled Peas | September 29, 2009, 3:43 pm 3:43 pm
Wow, the right wingnuts are out today.
What would the Olympics do for us?
Provide a several dollar billion boost to our country.
Restore national pride
Provide a platform for advancing American values (which seem to be lacking in Republicans these days).
So this trip would be an exceptionally good idea.
The naysayers of our country only want this country to be destroyed and will try to twart any attempt to improve it.
Posted by: tylerkad | September 29, 2009, 3:51 pm 3:51 pm
Visualize Whirled Peas — Actually it is a C-5B Galaxy Cargo Aircraft with the Presidents motorcade. The C-141 Starlifter was retired several years ago.
Posted by: lfrichar | September 29, 2009, 3:58 pm 3:58 pm
What would the Olympics do for us?
Actually a few hundred million is normally the profit from the Olympics. Also, I could think of many different cities to “advance American values”. I don’t think either party is any model for “American values”, so why pick on just one? The olympics would be great if Chicago was awarded, the question here was should Obama actually go? Actually, he should take those few hours and read the 66 page Afghanistan assessment because our troops are waiting for an answer soon. Not in another 3 weeks, ASAP. If 7 total weeks to make a decision is ASAP for this administration, I would say we have some issues. Hey, but at least we got Kennedy’s seat filled. Whew, that was almost a catastrophy like a war or something.
Posted by: tylerkad
Posted by: lfrichar | September 29, 2009, 4:05 pm 4:05 pm
What an incredible waste of time and our money, not to mention fuel, greenhouse gases, ect, ect. Hey, new invention out there, called the telephone. You can even take it up a notch and ad video to the tele-conference. I thought this guy was technically with it but I guess any chance to appear in the limelight in person ….
Posted by: Phil | September 29, 2009, 4:24 pm 4:24 pm
The Olympics in that Democrat conrolled toilet? What an embarasment to our country. Our guests couldn’t go out at night for fear of getting whacked in the head with a board. The only reason Zero is in Copenhaggen is because he owes a lot of patronage to Chicago money that supported him to his post. What an embarasment.
Posted by: Larry | September 29, 2009, 4:47 pm 4:47 pm
This seems fishy. Look for some sort of secret meeting while the President is in Copenhagen, perhaps Middle East related; another destination as well etc.?
Posted by: jd | September 29, 2009, 5:24 pm 5:24 pm
Compared to other issues that need his time, he should have deligated this to someone else. While I am in favor of hosting the games, I don’t think it needs the direct involvement of the President.
Posted by: MikeMo1947 | September 29, 2009, 6:22 pm 6:22 pm
“I don’t care much for Obama’s speeches, mostly empty rhetoric, but could he please learn to look straight forward once in a while. The “tennis watching” head, bouncing left then right is getting weird.”
To Dichotomy,
Obama: Harvard law…where did you get your education?
Posted by: pierre louis | September 29, 2009, 6:57 pm 6:57 pm
i wouldn’t mind so much if Obama was flying halfway around the world to lobby for the olympics coming to philadelphia or dallas or just about any other city in the US. however, something stinks to high heaven when the city of chicago comes to mind. he is only doing this to pad the pockets of his cronies. slimeball!!!!
Posted by: robin | September 29, 2009, 7:10 pm 7:10 pm
And just who is paying for this junket in a time or recession, high unemployment, and a Congress that is trying to figure out how to stick it to the middle class just one more time???
Posted by: ed | September 29, 2009, 7:28 pm 7:28 pm
What kind of carbon footprint does this
create? Shame on you Barack. Going
green is just for the little people.
How many lights do I have to turn off
and run the wash machine with cold water
so you can make this trip????
Posted by: wis134 | September 29, 2009, 8:13 pm 8:13 pm
What a waste of time and money.
I really thought Barack would bring change…I am so disappointed.
I wish someone would post a list of the promises not kept…it is long…and getting longer.
Nothing is getting done…and he is flying off with Oprah to have the Olympics in Chicago…why…to showcase the crime and corruption.
Posted by: Kathie | September 29, 2009, 11:17 pm 11:17 pm
“I wish someone would post a list of the promises not kept…it is long…and getting longer.”
PolitiFact has been doing just that for some time now. They call it the Obameter. Here’s where it was last week:
43 Promises Kept
11 Compromises
7 Promises Broken
12 Stalled
98 In the Works
344 No Action
Here’s where it is now:
44 Promises Kept
12 Compromises
7 Promises Broken
12 Stalled
100 In the Works
340 No Action
Posted by: WWW | September 29, 2009, 11:38 pm 11:38 pm
I heard his girl Valerie Jarrett owns the rights to the property where the games would be held. Hmm do you think they could make some money on this?
Posted by: julie white | September 30, 2009, 1:28 pm 1:28 pm
And just how much did Michelle and Barack’s separate trips cost the American taxpayer? Will the figures ever be posted? Shame on the administration using our money in such a blatant way when so many of us are struggling with the soured economy, to say nothing of our troops needing some attention in Afghanistan.
Posted by: Fairy Overton | October 2, 2009, 11:47 am 11:47 am