Santorum & Democrats Together Again

I decided to do a little research about the Olympics since Rick Santorum and some Democrats have decided to make the Winter Olympics of 2002 an issue in this 2012 presidential election. The subject became an opportunity for these propagaters of speculation during the 10th anniversary celebration of the 2002 Olympics being celebrated in Utah this week. What I have gleaned from my research on this subject is that none of the individuals making negative comments about the problems, or the solutions involved have ever had any hands-on experience dealing with anything with the magnitude of issues Mr. Romney faced when he agreed to take on the Olympics in 2002. It appears to me that these individuals are hoping that their accusations will foster animosity and doubt towards Governor Romney, and discredit his accomplishments. Since these accusatory arm-chair quarter-backs have absolutely no credibility I am discounting their accusations to pangs of jealousy, and irrelevant political innuendo which does nothing but feed the press who is more than willing to report anything that further diminishes the solemn act of selecting the next President of the United States of America.

The Olympics In the 20th and 21st centuries

The host city for an Olympic Games is usually chosen seven years ahead of their celebration. The process of selection is carried out in two phases that span a two-year period. The prospective host city applies to its country's Olympic Committee; if more than one city from the same country submits a proposal to its NOC, the national committee typically holds an internal selection, since only one city per NOC can be presented to the International Olympic Committee for consideration.

The United States has hosted four Summer and four Winter Olympics, more than any other nation.
Summer Olympics
1904 - St. Louis, Missouri United States
1932 - Los Angeles, California United States
1984 - Los Angeles, California United States
1996 - Atlanta, Georgia United States
Winter Olympics
1932 - Lake Placid, N.Y., United States
1960 - Squaw Valley, California, United States
1980 - Lake Placid, New York, United States
2002 - Salt Lake City, Utah, United States

2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics
In 1999, the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics was on the verge of collapse. The event had been bogged down in a bid-rigging scandal, sponsors were fleeing, and the budget was bleeding red ink. The bribery scandal did present an image problem for the games. Then Utah Governor Mike Leavitt was determined to find the right person to lead the games out of doubt and into success. Thanks to his reputation as a superb manager, Mitt Romney was asked by the Governor to take over.

"So I needed someone who could turn it around A person who could stand on the international stage and be viable and respected. A person who could turn the Olympics process itself around from just a dollar and cents point and then a person who raise and reignite the Olympic spirit again in Utah. And I think we got the right guy," said Leavitt.

"I'm immediately going to work with my staff as well to evaluate carefully the budgets that we have and make sure that we consider alternative budget levels, so that regardless of the revenue level we have, we spend within the amount of money that we take in. No shortfall, no shortfall is acceptable," said Romney in his acceptance speech to the Salt Lake Olympic Organizing Committee.

Romney got to work wooing corporate sponsors and repairing the image of the games. He hired his former Bain Capital partner Fraser Bullock to be his Chief Operations and financial Officer. After accepting the job, Fraser Bullock worked alongside Romney every day for the next three years. He remembers Mitt's frugal sensibility.

"He turned what was a cost center into a profit center and that message permeated throughout our entire organization because we were poor. We didn't have any choice and we watched every penny," said Romney.

Fraser Bullock maintains that Romney's strong personality and unyielding work ethic restored the image of the games.

"So he (Romney) hired his own team of several very capable marketing and sales people and he went around the country himself with those people to raise money himself. And so when I say he's relentless if it needs to get done, he hires good people, he does the best that he can - but occasionally he'll even step in and do it himself, because he will not fail," said Fraser Bullock.

Tax Payer Money And The Olympics
President Bill Clinton established a White House task force to coordinate federal involvement in the 1996 Atlanta, Georgia summer olympics which would have been selected as the host city in 1989 during George H.W. Bush's presidency, and the 2002 Salt Lake City, Utah winter olympics, which would have been selected as the host city in 1995 during Clinton's presidency.

In 1999 Mitt Romney wasn't a congressman, or a governor. He was a citizen with a great deal of business experience. He didn't have the ability to budget money for the Olympics in Congress. He didn't hold any office, and most assuredly didn't have the vote, but Rick Santorum was in Congress at that time. He could have stepped forward and started a campaign to stop federal funding of the Olympics, but he didn't. He and his crony democrat supporters should all be answering the questions where were they and what were they doing when the federal government chose to spend money to insure security, and preparations for the games. Santorum was also in office when money was allocated to pay for planning and security for the Atlanta games held in 1996.

The 2002 Salt Lake City, Utah Winter Olympic games were the first since September 11, 2001, which meant a higher level of security than ever before was provided for the Games.

The Office of Homeland Security (OHS) designated the Olympics a National Special Security Event (NSSE).

Aerial surveillance and radar control was provided by the Marines of Marine Air Control Squadron 2 det C, from Cherry Point NC.

When he spoke during the opening ceremonies, Jacques Rogge, presiding over his first olympics as IOC president, told the athletes of the United States, the host country:
"Your nation is overcoming a horrific tragedy, a tragedy that has affected the whole world. We stand united with you in the promotion of our common ideals, and hope for world peace."

Questions About Taxpayer Money Spent On Olympics
OLYMPIC GAMES
United States General Accounting Office GAO
Report to Congressional Requesters
Preliminary Information on Federal Funding and Support to John McCain:
December 21, 1999

The majority of the federal funding and support agencies reported providing to the 1996 Summer Olympic Games held in Atlanta and planned for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games is reported to be for infrastructure projects to prepare the host city for the Olympic Games—projects that will also benefit the host city and state after the Games are held. However, although the completion of these projects was generally accelerated because of the Olympic Games, most of the funding for these activities probably would have eventually been provided to the host city regardless of the Games, according to federal and state officials.

For example, federal funding and support for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta totaled about $605 million and involved 24 federal organizations. Of this amount, about $184 million was spent on activities provided during the planning and staging of the Olympic Games, including about $92 million for safety- and security-related services, which would not have been used for this purpose if the Games had not been hosted there. About $421 million was spent for highway, transit, public housing, and other capital projects related to preparing Atlanta for the Games. According to federal and state officials, most of the $421 million would eventually have been provided to Georgia, regardless of the Olympic Games.

About $1.4 billion in federal funding and support is planned or has been provided for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City and involves 18 federal organizations. Of this amount, about $272 million is planned or has been provided for activities during the planning and staging of the Olympic Games, including about $200 million for safety- and security related services, which would not have been used for this purpose if the Games were not being hosted there. About $1.1 billion is planned or has
been provided for highway, transit, and other capital improvement projects that appear to be related to preparing the host city for the Olympic Games. According to federal and state officials, most of the $1.1 billion would have been eventually provided to Utah, regardless of the Olympic Games.

Again I don't see Rick Santorum being involved in questioning the use of taxpayer money being spent on Olympics being held in the U.S.