CHICAGO (CBS) ― Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama dropped in on the Chicago 2016 Olympics rally on Friday and declared he is confident that he will be winding up his second term in the White House when Chicago hosts the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.
Such bravado about his own future is not typical of Obama, even in private. And, in the highly scripted world of modern politics, today's last-minute appearance was unusual. Obama had told CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery on Thursday night that he had intended to ''chill out'' at home for a few days.
"It's a good time to be in Chicago," Barack Obama said to the cheering crowd. "The White Sox are winning. The Cubs are winning. And Chicago's going to win the 2016 Olympics."
"In 2016, I'll be wrapping up my second term as president, so I can't think of a better way than to be marching into Washington Park alongside Mayor Daley, alongside Rahm Emanuel, alongside Dick Durbin, alongside Valerie Jarrett as President of the United States, and annoucing to the world, 'Let the games begin!'"
The remark was a contrast to Obama's usual style of rhetoric, which tends to be charismatic, yet understated and not prone to brash predictions. But since it became clear he was going to be the Democratic presidential nominee, a shift has been detected in his demeanor.
Obama lives a short distance from Washington Park, where the Olympic stadium will be built if the Olympics come to Chicago.
On Thursday, Obama told CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery he had planned to spend the next three days at home. But Obama indicated in his speech that he believed he should be present for the rally to promote the Olympic Games.
Thus, Obama made an unscheduled appearance at the rally in Daley Plaza. Mayor Richard Daley, U.S. Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.) and Olympic Committee Vice Chairman Valerie Jarrett were also in attendance--along with current and former Olympic athletes.
Before he introduced Obama, Mayor Daley said he hoped to celebrate both American patriotism and Chicago's diversity by bringing the Olympics.
"What we have here is basically a spirit about the Olympic movement; a spirit about Chicago; a spirit about the United States of America, that this is our country," Daley said. "I know we have problems, but I can tell you when you travel throughout the world, you come back and say, 'God less America.' What we have in America is something unique; very diverse."
Bid committee volunteers handed out brochures and answering questions about the city's effort to host the Olympics. The bid committee hopes everyone in the Midwestern region and the country will get on board the 16-month campaign.
"It's something for everyone to get behind. It positions our city not only in the US but internationally," said Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce chief executive officer Jerry Roper, "and what everyone in Chicago, and in Illinois has to understand we are representing the United States of America."
Some Chicagoans explained why they think the Windy City is the perfect place for the Olympics.
"The people are awesome. There's a lot of stuff always going on," said Christina Dean. "The people are just really good."
"You have different cultures. That's the most beautiful part about it," said Anthellaone Stevens. "Everything is just like in one big dish, and everybody seems to have one nice big time."
At the rally, organizers unveiled a new Olympic logo for the city, which featured the Olympic rings. Use of the rings is permissible now that Chicago is a finalist.
Officials also took down the Cook County flag in Daley Plaza, which stands between the American and Chicago flags. They plan to replace it with an Olympic flag.
The IOC announced that Chicago was one of four Olympic finalists on Wednesday, along with Tokyo, Madrid and Rio de Janeiro.
Among the four cities, the IOC determined "have the potential to host the 2016 Games," Chicago ranked behind Tokyo and Madrid and ahead of only Rio de Janeiro. But, officials point out, London was in the same position when the finalist cities for the 2012 Olympics were announced behind Paris and Madrid and ended up getting the games.
