The Flack

Deploying Condoleeza Rice on behalf of New York City’s no holds barred attempt to land the 2012 Olympic Games could backfire on several levels. First, The AP reports that Secretary Rice will come to New York to make the rounds of the network talk shows and appear at a downtown rally. Wouldn’t she be more effective sitting down with the BBC, CNN International and some Asian media outlets? Secondly, Ms. Rice’s presence in New York will not exactly pass peaceably. Expect protesters who will detract from the primary message of the day. And finally, but most importantly, the PR tactic to use Ms. Rice as a weapon of mass seduction may very well be viewed as manufactured - especially since the President begged off getting involved. This effort could produce the opposite effect with the IOC selection committee, which will be sensitive to the perception that it is being played or worse, politically pressured.

What I don’t understand is why Deputy NYC Mayor Dan Doctoroff, who is speaheading the city’s 2012 Olympic bid, has put all his eggs in the west side stadium basket. If the stadium fails to manifest in Manhattan, is there not a fall back position upon which the IOC might look favorably in considering New York?

I recognize that all PR efforts are focused on winning approval for the construction of that stadium, but it seems short-sighted to not let the IOC know that the Games are viable in New York City without it. (Maybe they’re not?) Mr. Doctoroff is smart to maintain a buoyant posture over the IOC’s report that NYC is in the running, even though it seems that London and Paris do have the edge in advance of next month’s decision.