ANALYSIS-Obama's Olympian gamble collapses

University of Virginia political scientist Larry Sabato said he believed the issue would not linger.

"It's a classic political hullabaloo that will fade quickly," he said. "I think it actually points up a problem the Republicans are having, which is focusing the unhappiness and disagreement they have with Obama. In politics you have to be able to complain about the right things."

(Editing by Howard Goller)