Obama’s Olympic pitch draws GOP complaint

NEW YORK -- President Barack 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 yesterday. He called it "noble for the president to pitch his home city, Chi-town," before the International Olympic Committee on Friday. But Steele said it was a distraction from more pressing issues such as health care, job creation and other urgent demands on Obama's time.

However, Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts governor and 2008 Republican presidential contender, said Obama was right to make an appearance.

"In the current environment, the presence of a head of state is important to get the games," Romney, who headed the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, said. He said former British Prime Minister Tony Blair had set a new standard by personally lobbying for his country's successful 2012 Olympic bid.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs laughed when told of Steele's criticism. "Who's he rooting for? Is he hoping to hop a plane to Brazil and catch the Olympics in Rio? I don't know. Maybe it's Madrid."

Rep. Peter Hoekstra, R-Mich., told reporters that Obama should focus on the escalating conflict in Afghanistan.