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I’m not a Chicago native. And frankly, I don’t even know if having the Olympics would have been the economic boost this city needs. Past hosts such as Montreal (1976!) are still paying off crushing debts while London’s budget keep rising for 2012. In truth, this entire push for the Olympiad boiled down to what Chicago politics is usually about: an excuse for the Mayor’s office to pleasure itself and line the pockets of Daley’s buddies. That’s whose good fortune was riding on the success of the Olympic bid, not necessarily the good citizens of the Windy City.

But there was another underlining tone to Chicago’s effort—an attempt to be recognized internationally as a world class city, not just the capital of the Midwest. Everyone here says they believe it, but even though we’ve turned out global icons like MJ, Oprah and Kanye, the Chi still has a big fish in a small pond feel. An Olympic bid would have allayed our self-doubt and given us the opportunity to showcase our great city to the world

And with the hometown First Couple on our side, I really did think we were going to win. And even though I knew construction would have been a clusterfuck and that I probably wouldn’t have stayed here long enough to realize the reward.  I did get caught up in the hype. This morning I had a hop in my step similar to November 4th in Grant Park

Instead we got bounced in the first round. Mayor Daley, Oprah and yes, the Obamas will travel back stateside with their tails between the legs, wondering why the U.S. just can’t seem to get what it wants anymore. And we Chicago citizens are just going to have to deal with the fact that we’re still a second city.

The truth hurts.