Will Obama Endorse Bill Thompson?

Photo by Richard Drew/AP

Now that President Obama has officially opened himself up for criticism about the role he has taken in shaping New York's local politics, some Democrats are openly questioning where the presidential love for Bill Thompson is. One Democrat today is quoted as saying, "The first black President who tells the first black governor to get out, and he won't help the guy who wants to be the second black mayor? The irony is thick."

The Daily News says that negotiations on a potential Obama endorsement of Thompson are ongoing, but it doesn't appear very likely because the president would only like to use his influence if the race truly looks "competitive." Obama of course has generally had a pretty chummy relationship with Bloomberg since taking office. White House's biggest involvement in the race so has been the unsuccessful attempt to block the extension of term limits by Political Affairs Director Patrick Gaspard, the man who dropped the hammer on the governor.

The News points out that Obama did campaign against Bloomberg in 2005 alongside Fernando Ferrer—back when the then-senator was building a base among Hispanic voters nationwide. Brooklyn Assemblyman Keith Wright said today, "If they're getting involved in local politics, that's where we really need them."

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By Billy Parker in News on September 28, 2009 1:17 PM

Comments [rss]

felixthecat2

Yep. Obama follows the money trail. He should have stepped in and stop bloomberg's illegal reelection. Thompson can't even get his message out because doucheberg floods all the media with his false ads. Progress not politics? Bloomberg is a dictator who has everyone under this thumbs. He retained all the campaign managers to stop Thompson from hiring one of them.

airtech1

Obama follows the money trail. The only color he's interested in is green.

JacqueMehoff

I dunno, depends on what the behind the scenes stuff were when bloomberg thought he had a chance at the presidency.

I'd say he'll just skip out on this one. it would be nice if he did help out thompson.

Matt Joyce

This article is racist.

HOTCUP

obama's totally in with bloomberg. just look at edu reform.

inoyourider

Enough with the race thing.

He's black, we get it.

It doesn't mean he will automatically pick a black guy for everything.

FJF

I think by now, Obama has proven he has the integrity to look beyond race in making appointments and endorsements. He'll endorse whomever his thinks will do the best job for New York.