by John McCormick and Monique Garcia
In a surprise appearance at a downtown rally celebrating Chicago's selection as a finalist for the 2016 Olympics, Sen. Barack Obama noted how close his home is to the proposed site for the games.
"In 2016, I'll be wrapping up my second term as president," he said to loud applause at Daley Plaza. "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 announcing to the world: Let the games begin."
The gathering was organized to celebrate Chicago's Olympic success, but Obama quickly stole the show.
Workers from nearby office buildings got word of the senator's appearance, and filled Daley Plaza on their lunch break, passing the word about Obama to their relatives and friends.
As the sky darkened and threatened rain, officials quickly flooded the stage, but Obama was nowhere to be seen. Then, seconds after Mayor Richard Daley took the podium, Obama appeared at the rear of the stage, prompting screams from those who spotted him.
The roar was loud enough for Daley to quickly acknowledge that "we have a very, very special guest who'll be coming on very shortly."
After welcoming Obama on stage, the crowd went wild and started chanting "O-ba-ma! O-ba-ma!" and "Yes we can! Yes we can!" before settling down to hear the mayor's remarks.
While Daley delivered a passionate, fist-waving speech about the Olympics and the good it would do for the city, it was Obama who got the strongest reaction.
"It's a good time to be in Chicago," Obama opened. "White Sox are winning. Cubs are winning. And Chicago's going to win the 2016 Olympics and Para Olympics.
"And your senator, he's winning too."
• 
• 
• 
Comments
Without HRC running as Obama's VP he will never be President one term..Much less two...
Posted by: kaye c. | June 6, 2008 1:59 PM
All the old negative chicago trolls are going to love to take shots at this one. They don't want the Olympics in Chicago, they don't want Obama to be presidedent. They just want something to be negative about. But 2016 will be a big year for the city if the Olympics is held here. Obama is showing how forward thinking and looking he is. We should all be glad such a person will be in the White House.
Posted by: GW | June 6, 2008 2:06 PM
Obama has forward vision and thinks outside the box. He could be one of the best things that could happen in this country if people would just stop being negative and listen to his message! I know he is under a microscope right now, but has really shown a passion for the county and its people. Give him a break and let him enjoy this time - he is making history!
Posted by: Lynn | June 6, 2008 2:42 PM
Hmm. How about a Cubs-Sox World Series in October, followed by an Obama win in November, followed by a Bears Super Bowl victory in February, the Hawks winning the Stanley Cup and the Bulls winning the NBA Finals in June, followed by Chicago winning the Olympic bid? On second thought, it's unlikely. We still have Grossman, right?
Posted by: KPO'M | June 6, 2008 2:44 PM
Go Chicago 2016!
All the oh sooo negative posters that seem to bash anything Chicago will have a field day with this one. Truth is most in Chicago are very excited about this potential opportunity to change the future of Chicago in the world, besides the grumpy trib posters.
Sorry all if Obama wins this thing Chicago is a lock for the Olympics. He'll get MJ to tag along to the IOC meeting as well and they will all be falling over themselves. If it's McCain it goes to Tokyo no matter what Chicago does with the bid.
Posted by: Fullerton | June 6, 2008 2:46 PM
This man will do anything and say anything to drum up votes. Just decides to show up at this function? My daughter has a birthday party in August, there will be about 30 people there. I wonder if I tell him about it, I bet he will show up to try and garner some votes. This man is sickening and I am sure we will all be sick of him by November.
Posted by: quills | June 6, 2008 2:52 PM
Obama is great, he sounds just like a preacher in a black church. All he needed was the choir in the background. Rev. Wright was a good mentor for him.
Posted by: Soraya | June 6, 2008 3:07 PM
If Daley is mayor in 2016, we'll be battling his idea to put Obama's Presidentil Library in Grant Park. Which will be premature on Daley's part because the 22nd amendment will have been nullified by then.
Message to kaye c: Go to YouTube and watch McCain's Tuesday night's performance. This is Obama's opposition. More Republicans seats are in play then was originally thought and most of the smart money will go to those trying to hang on.
Posted by: Jim A | June 6, 2008 3:08 PM
Let the trains derail!!!
THE CTA sucks. They've had 100 years to get it right and they still fail -- so I fail to see how 8 more will help. In addition, I think it'd be really insulting to see the City make the push to get the CTA working smoothly, suggesting that the citizens of the world are somehow more important than the citizens of Chicago.
Posted by: Mark in Chicago | June 6, 2008 3:28 PM
@ quills - the man is from chicago, why wouldn't he show up at a huge event like that? Drum up votes? In Chicago? Don't think that's a concern of his, hun. They have to make the appearance a surprise because Obama draws huge crowds wherever he goes. He's already the dem nominee and he's not going anywhere so get over it. if the man can't show support for his own city, how would he support a whole country? You must be one of Clinton's aides who was told not to show up for work today...
Posted by: gg | June 6, 2008 3:35 PM
Who are these people who run the Swamp and why do they censor, censor, censor? This is a newspaper, or at least a newspaper's website? Whatever happened to Freedom of Speech and the 1st Amendment? Does the Tribune not practice that?
I'll say it again: Obama won't be president in 2016 anymore than he will be president come 2009.
Posted by: Green Trees | June 6, 2008 3:36 PM
Quills, why wouldn't Obama come to the event...he's a Chicagoan and the chance of hosting the Olympics here is WONDERFUL?!!!! I hate that I didn't go and get to see him in person.
Posted by: D.R. | June 6, 2008 3:51 PM
Mark - I was waiting for you to make your usual anti-Chicago post. What took you so long? You live for any hint of Chicago positive article.
We can do a lot in 8 years with proper funding to make the CTA right. With the last 100 years a lot about the CTA was right. When the extension to OHare first opened it took 35 minutes to get there from downtown and it was very nice. (shorter time than even many of those beloved European airport to city trains) Check how long it takes to get from Heathrow to London in 2012. With proper funds and leadership the CTA can be fixed.
I have news for people that think Madrid is so great. There is more crime in their city center than our city center (downtown areas) yes they have an extensive train network but it's needed as the population is much more densly located the roads are not as easy to navigate as ours. They also have stations that wreak of urine. Chicago does not have the monopoly of public transit that sometimes wreaks of urine as there are homeless and drunks everywhere. Rio has no public transit and crime and corruption off the charts. Tokyo is hard to bash but not sure if they want it in one of the most highly populated cities in the world with not much space.
Posted by: Fullerton | June 6, 2008 4:07 PM
Dream on BAM BAM ..you wont be President then or now.
Posted by: junglejim123 | June 6, 2008 4:11 PM
Obama is a much Chicagoan as I--it's his adopted hometown. He's now expressing in words the superciliousness he's demonstrated all along--like with his constant finger pointing and his perpetual smirk. He will no more be U.S. president in 2016 than any of his supporters. Besides, Rezko and others will come back to haunt him long before November, 2008.
Posted by: Susanna | June 6, 2008 4:33 PM
Obama is as much Chicagoan as I--it's his adopted hometown. He's now expressing in words the superciliousness he's demonstrated all along--like with his constant finger pointing and his perpetual smirk. He will no more be U.S. president in 2016 than any of his supporters. Besides, Rezko and others will come back to haunt him long before November, 2008.
Posted by: Susanna | June 6, 2008 4:35 PM
Yes, Mr. Obama will be the next president. If those of you who continue to complain, about everything, would raise your eyes above the water level, you might see something you never dreamed of seeing. Try attending college during your next lifetime. You might just learn something. But, perhaps I am mistaken. Some hamsters never learn anything.
Posted by: Effort | June 6, 2008 5:18 PM
Fired up !
Ready to go !
Now I have to start working on my cranky, old, nasty, negitive, McCain supporting next door neighbor.
Posted by: Mike Ellert | June 6, 2008 6:56 PM
The Western White House AND the Olympic Games in Hyde Park in 2016?
Who'd have imagined it?
Posted by: d lehman | June 6, 2008 7:45 PM
For all you negative thinkers..... about eight months ago there were many who thought Obama did not stand a chance running against Hilliary....and look at him now! I agree with Lynn. Let's not limit ourselves .Let's give him a chance.This man has the intelligence, integrity and dedication to move our country forward in a positive way. As for the Olympics in Chicago.....Congratulations to Mayor Daley and his team on getting Chicago on the list of candidates for the 2016 Olympic and Para Olympic Games!
Posted by: Conchis | June 6, 2008 8:07 PM