Scarborough Calls Righties' Celebration of Failed Olympic Bid "Just Plain Stupid"

A surprising number of conservatives are doing a happy-dance over the fact that the United States will not host the Olympic summer games in 2016. As far as I can tell, their glee is driven entirely by their hatred of President Obama -- Chicago is his hometown, and therefore undeserving.

Joe Scarborough, of all people, is defending the president.

Count me as one conservative who is disappointed that President Obama's hometown will not be hosting the 2012 Olympic Games.

Chicago is a beautiful city that would have made a perfect backdrop for the Olympics. The President was right to fly to Copenhagen to try to land the games, not for the sake of his city, but for the good of his country. The fact President Obama failed makes me respect him more for taking the chance, and the fact many right-wing figures opposed the President's mission shows just how narrow-minded partisanship makes us all. [...]

[W]hat we saw from some conservative corners regarding the President's failed Olympics bid was just plain stupid.

I rarely agree with Joe Scarborough this much. When the Weekly Standard's office "erupts" in "cheers" -- as editor John McCormack wrote this afternoon -- it's hard to miss the oddity of watching Americans revel in America's Olympic defeat.

There are obviously far more important international developments than an athletic competition, but I honestly can't think of the last time I've seen so many high-profile Americans root so enthusiastically against their own country. Rachel Slajda has some of the highlights from prominent right-wing voices -- or lowlights, depending on one's perspective -- and it's more than a little depressing.

Former Bush aide advised Republicans to "resist the temptation to pile on about Chicago losing the Olympic bid just because Obama made the pitch," but he was ignored.

Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fla.) added, "Someone should remind [conservatives] which team they're really on."

I remember a time when conservative Republicans claimed to have the high ground on unimpeachable patriotism. My, how things have changed.