By Heather Grossmann
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — President Barack Obama gave a less than tepid endorsement of comptroller William Thompson Friday, saying he would support the “Democratic nominee” for mayor in New York City.
The president did not deliver the endorsement himself. Instead, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs responded to a question asked by a New York reporter during a White House briefing.
"The president is the leader of the Democratic party, and as that would support the Democratic nominee," Gibbs said.
Even as he uttered the few words in support of Thompson, Gibbs made sure not to leave Mayor Michael Bloomberg out.
"The president obviously has had a chance throughout campaigning and his time as both a candidate and as a president, to meet, to know and work with Mayor Bloomberg and obviously has a tremendous amount of respect for what he's done as well," Gibbs said.
Despite the faint praise, Thompson immediately released a statement.
“I am grateful and encouraged to receive the support of the President of the United States, especially on the day that Barack Obama is named a Nobel Prize Winner,” Thompson said.
“I am deeply honored and thank our President for his support and confidence that I will be the next mayor of New York City.”
The president had been silent on the mayoral race up until now, despite the administration’s willingness to speak up about New York state politics.
A full endorsement would be a huge boost for Thompson, who is lagging 8 points behind Mayor Michael Bloomberg, according to the latest—and closest—poll, conducted by SurveyUSA. A Quinnipiac Poll released Sept. 24 had Bloomberg 16 points ahead of Thompson.
But the words of White House spokesman Robert Gibbs may be as close as the comptroller will get to a presidential endorsement. The close alliance between the mayor and Obama had many thinking Obama would sit out the race entirely.
Bloomberg and Obama have met several times this year and on Tuesday, the mayor received the endorsement of several prominent Democrats with close ties to the president, including Dennis Rivera, who is working on national health care reform, and John Podesta, who served on Obama’s transition team.
The Democratic National Committee, which endorsed Bloomberg foe Fernando Ferrer in the 2005 campaign, has stayed mum on the campaign.
