A Calculated Silence
Obama refuses to endorse Zohran Mamdani
Obama rang Zohran Mamdani with praise but zero endorsement, because even the Hope King knows some baggage is too toxic for a blessing. In NYC’s mayoral circus, a phone call is the new “no comment.”
As New York City voters head to the polls today in a nail-biting three-way mayoral contest, former President Barack Obama’s refusal to publicly endorse frontrunner Zohran Mamdani has become a flashpoint, with campaign insiders spinning it as a “strategic boost” and critics calling it a telling snub from Democratic royalty.
The drama unfolded after Obama, campaigning nearby in New Jersey for Gov. Mikie Sherrill on Saturday, placed a 30-minute private call to the 34-year-old Democratic Socialist assemblyman.
Sources briefed on the chat (per The New York Times) say Obama praised Mamdani’s campaign, called it “especially impressive to watch,” and offered to serve as a “sounding board” for policy advice if he wins, even joking that he’d made “more mistakes” under similar scrutiny.
The two also floated a potential in-person meeting in Washington and discussed Mamdani’s recent speech on “Islamophobia,” inspired by Obama’s 2008 race address.But no formal endorsement materialized, despite Obama’s history of backing mayoral hopefuls like Karen Bass (LA, 2022), Bill de Blasio (NYC, 2013), and others in competitive local races.
Mamdani’s team downplayed the omission, with adviser Patrick Gaspard (Obama’s ex-White House political director) insisting it’s a “longstanding post-presidency rule”: Obama only endorses in federal or gubernatorial races, not municipal ones.
“The call is a huge boost... a signal to New Yorkers,” Gaspard told The New York Post.
Mamdani echoed this on MSNBC: “The only endorsement I’m looking for is from New Yorkers who call this city home.”
Skeptics aren’t buying it. Republican strategist Rob Ryan called it proof “even Obama realizes Mamdani is bad for New York,” shielding Democrats from backlash over the candidate’s far-left stances on policing, housing, and Israel.
Veteran consultant Hank Sheinkopf (Clinton alum) agreed: An Obama nod “could be used against Democrats nationwide next year.”
Why the Hesitation?
Mamdani’s progressive platform, including BDS support, “globalize the intifada” defense, and police reform, has alienated centrists. Key Dems like Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand haven’t endorsed him, and House Leader Hakeem Jeffries recently said Mamdani isn’t “the future of the Democratic Party” despite a tepid statement.
Polls show Mamdani leading (43%) over independent Andrew Cuomo (28%) and Republican Curtis Sliwa (~8%), but a split anti-Mamdani vote could flip it.
Obama’s team declined comment, but the calculus seems clear: Praise without peril. With record early voting (>735K ballots), today’s turnout could decide if Mamdani gets the keys to City Hall — endorsement or not.Polls close 9 PM ET. Results expected by midnight.