Is going to Copenhagen to bid on the Olympics really the most important thing going on?

Why Chicago? Maybe as pay-back to someone...? There are several more important things I can think of: they're called Afghanistan, the economy, unemployment, etc.

Oh my Gosh! And he took his WIFE on a DATE once too! (BILLION DOLLARS? WHERE do you get these ridiculous numbers?)

i think the consensus is that it's a pretty arrogant thing to do especially at this time. I guess it's better than planning on another war in some other country nobody knows or cares about.

1. Chicago is the City that petitioned. Many could have, Chicago made it through selections, that's got squat to do with Obama. 2. It's his hometown, come on. Bush showed Texas some love while he was President and there was no crybabying. Of course he's going to do what he can, we all have a soft spot for our hometown especially when you know what can be done for it. 3. We are talking about billions into the economy - had Obama not gone 7 years from now people would have talked about how he blew a chance to bring in all that money. 4. EVERY OTHER leader is going to be there. Not just him, all of them. And it's not the first time. Leaders go often, we're the only country who has not ever sent a sitting President... So of course when it's the Sitting President's hometown he's going to try to go. I'm pretty sure he's capable of doing more than one thing at a time. Or gosh let's hope so- since Bush spent the majority of his presidency in Texas on vacation at camp David, even during Katrina, and he claimed to be working...

A "billion-dollar trip"? Please try to retain at least a shred of credibility.

Try to understand how an adolescent thinks.

He wants to make sure he has a place to hang his hat if the Presidency thing doesn't work out....