“SMART DIPLOMACY” FAIL: Chicago first out in bid for Olympics. That’s too bad. I was kinda looking forward to seeing President Palin speak at the opening ceremonies. . . .

UPDATE: Ouch: “The Obama magic has truly fizzled. All that glamorous traveling…. and the backlash against it.” Who knew that the International Olympic Committee was such a hotbed of racism?

ANOTHER UPDATE: Tucker Carlson comments:

But here’s the most interesting question about today’s Olympic vote: Why didn’t Obama see this coming? He spends all this time, gets all this press, uses all this political capital to promote Chicago, and then loses? What an amateur. Prosecutors don’t ask witnesses questions in court unless they’re sure of the answers. Presidents don’t stake their personal reputations on contests whose outcomes are uncertain. Very foolish move. No wonder he can’t get health care passed.

I think he overestimated the power of his personality.

Plus: Comedy Gold: CNN Anchor In Utter Disbelief As Chicago Is Eliminated. I guess they overestimated the power of his personality, too . . . .

Also, “It speaks volumes about the state of things when it takes a decision by the Olympic Selection Committee to keep Chicago’s taxpayers from getting completely screwed once again.”