NEW YORK (AP) — President Obama’s decision to travel to Copenhagen to boost Chicago’s chances of winning the 2016 Olympics has drawn criticism from some Republicans, who call it a boondoggle for Obama’s hometown allies and evidence the president has blurred his priorities. Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele denounced the visit on a conference call with reporters Tuesday. Steele said it was a distraction from more pressing issues such as health care.
Obama’s 2016 Olympic pitch draws complaints from GOP
September 28, 2009

Visitors are reflected in Anish Kapoor’s sculpture called “Cloud Gate” by the city, and “the bean” by everyone else, in Chicago’s Millennium Park on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009. President Barack Obama will head to Copenhagen this week to lobby the International Olympic Committee for Chicago to host the 2016 Olympics.