As a Chicago-area resident I'm conflicted over the prospect of the Windy City winning the 2016 Games. On one hand, it would be great for the city and fun to be able to take my kids to see some of the action without having to travel half way around the world. On the other hand, I dread the construction (which would probably start post-haste), and the crowds and congestion that would accompany the Games - so much so that it makes me think we might want to plan to be out of town for the entire month of August that year.

As a political matter, the GOP's criticism of President Obama for going to Copenhagen to make a personal pitch for the Games is silly. Sure, he's doing a favor for his buddy/patron Mayor Daley. He's also understandably pitching his home town.

And, yes, there are a lot of other very important things going on right now, but it's ridiculous to suggest that the President spending 24 hours in Denmark to make this pitch is going to have some material effect on whether health care gets passed or whether the Iranians decide to give up their nuclear weapons ambitions.

Personally, I think the President could have gotten away with sending just the First Lady, but I have no problem that he decided to go the extra mile to try and close the deal on an event that will benefit his hometown and will also be a great source of pride for the United States.

All that said, now that Obama has put his personal prestige on the line it will be quite a personal embarrassment for him if Chicago doesn't win the Games. That's another headache he just doesn't need at the moment.

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