President Obama enthusiastically endorsed mayoral front-runner Bill de Blasio on Monday — in sharp contrast to his lukewarm backing of Democratic underdog Bill Thompson four years ago.
Obama was even on board with de Blasio’s proposal to raise taxes on the wealthy to finance universal pre-K and after-school programs for middle schools.
“Progressive change is the centerpiece of Bill de Blasio’s vision for New York City, and it’s why he will be a great mayor of America’s largest city,” the president said in a statement.
“Whether it’s ensuring pre-kindergarten is available for every four-year old, expanding after-school programs for every middle school student who wants and needs them, making affordable housing available for more New York families and preserving community hospitals, Bill’s agenda for New York is marked by bold, courageous ideas that address the great challenges of our time.”
The endorsement is hardly a surprise since de Blasio is leading his GOP rival, Joe Lhota, by more than 40 percentage points in public polls.
And Obama’s former political director, Patrick Gaspard, the US ambassador to South Africa, is a de Blasio confidant.
In 2009, when the polls showed Thompson trailing Mayor Bloomberg, Obama left it to his spokesman to announce that he was backing the Democratic candidate — without mentioning Thompson by name.
De Blasio on Monday described himself as “deeply honored” by Obama’s endorsement.