It occurs to me that, while Obama surely wanted to triumphantly bring the Olympics home, he might not upset to have lost.

The average American might see the spectacle of a president traveling halfway around the world only to be slapped down by some faceless international bureaucrats as an embarrassment, if not humiliation. But by hawking his goods before the IOC alongside the prime ministers of Spain and Brazil, he disclaims any special status for the presidency. Not a super-power, certainly not a hyper-power, just one the guys.

I doubt such modesty will deliver any benefits abroad. It certainly won't go over well at home.