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2010 Olympic Opening Ceremonies: Obama Snubs Canada? Sends Biden
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by Sudha Krishna | February 10, 2010 at 07:37 pm
1804 views | 11 Recommendations | 9 comments
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With the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Opening Ceremonies just about here many people know that Vice President Joe Biden will be the top US official in Vancouver for the opening of the 2010 Winter Games.
What may not be known is that some consider President Obama is snubbing Canada by sending Vice President Biden. In fact, The Los Angeles Times makes the case that Obama has snubbed Canada.
Apparently, it all has to do with the International Olympic Committee choosing Rio over Chicago for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.
"All the international conglomerate of elderly delegates did was allow Mr. and Mrs. Barack Obama to fly the 4,000 miles from Washington to Copenhagen last fall to pitch the 2016 Summer Olympics bid by Chicago and listen politely to the glamorous couple and then unceremoniously dump the Windy City on the opening vote before the first pair even got home."
Sour Grapes, maybe - Obama may be smooth but he does come from the the rough and tumble world of Chicago politics and I am told people in Chicago have long memories and well, can hold a grudge.
Sending Vice President Biden is also very convenient as the Vice President will be nearby in Washington State for a fund raiser for the Democratic Sen. Patty Murray.
The LA Times goes on to conclude, "This is Canada's biggest moment on the world stage in years. And its partner in the world's largest bilateral economic relationship sends in the same gaffe-prone gabber who was assigned the secondary chore of briefing Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Obama's Afghan surge speech last fall.
While the Main Man briefed the world's really important leaders himself."
Also, it should be pointed out that Obama went to Copenhagen twice once for the Olympics and also for the Climate Change Summit and he took time to go to Paris.
I like Biden he may be gaff prone but that also makes him far more entertaining than the ever restrained Obama and besides the security burden is far less for a Vice President than the Commander-In-Chief.
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thefurlinator
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (9)
at 19:52 on February 10th, 2010
Yes, those in charge of security didn't need the extra stress. It could also be that Obama did not want to steal the thunder from our Governor General, who will probably declare the Games open.
Besides the last three Obama campaigned for lost their election, so maybe it's best that Biden fund raise for Sen Patty Murray.
at 20:05 on February 10th, 2010
I think the bigger story is that Obama has been cloned 249 times to make sure he can be in all important places at once.
at 04:00 on February 12th, 2010
Why would Canadians think Obama is snubbing them. If anything he is snubbing his own athletes, isn't he? Who cares whether Obama or even that Canadian Prime Minister shows up !
at 07:24 on February 12th, 2010
thank u !!!!!!!!!!!! who cares about the leaders!!!!!!!!!!!
at 16:33 on February 12th, 2010
I know people are disapointed that a President ignores us. The last visit to BC was Clinton in the early 90's. Disapointed and ignored. But I don't think a President would snub one of the 57 states!
at 20:19 on February 14th, 2010
The only US President to travel to the olympics EVER as George W. Bush. No other President has attended. Look it up.
at 18:29 on February 17th, 2010
As a Vancouverite who isn't too excited about the Olympics, (and I think a lot of Canadians have that 2010: Who Cares attitude) I can't imagine why the most powerful man in the world and leader of the free world would give a hoot. We're lucky that we even got Biden.
at 08:11 on March 1st, 2010
It doesn't surprise me that Obama didn't show up for the Olympics in Canada. Bush flew around the world to go to the Olympics and he came and went and then came back a second time, but Obama doesn't have the courtesy to show up just a few miles north of his own border. This is an obvious insult and the excuse that he is in hot water at home over the health issue is no excuse at all. Its typical of his people to be spiteful when they don't get what they want. He went out on a limb to get the 2016 Olympics in Chicago and failed and he just can't handle the humiliation so has to pull a face. Typical.
at 06:34 on March 6th, 2010
The olympics are about the athletes not the policicians. Having Harper in Vancouver didn't excite me at all. I'm hoping he was there to watch and cheer the athletes around the world more than there for a political gain. Maybe in the future we can keep this iconic event that happens every 4 years and politics seperate. As a Candian I was very proud that so many athletes from every part of the world participated in the Olympics. It was very nice to see new countries participating in the Olympics also. I hope to see these faces again in another 4 years at the next Olympics. It was my pleasure to watch all of you!