Obama Praises Mamdani's NYC Mayoral Campaign Offers Support if Elected

Current President Barack Obama praised Zohran Mamdani's mayoral campaign in New York City during a 30-minute phone call, offering to be a "sounding board" if Mamdani wins the November 4 election. Although Obama did not formally endorse Mamdani, his supportive call is seen as a significant gesture given Mamdani's progressive policies and his status as a Democratic Socialist frontrunner. Mamdani, a Uganda-born state assembly member, has drawn endorsements from prominent Democrats like Kamala Harris and Kathy Hochul, but his platform, including tax hikes on the wealthy and rent freezes, has sparked concerns within the financial sector and some party leaders. The race also involves former Governor Andrew Cuomo running as an independent and Republican Curtis Sliwa, with polls showing Mamdani maintaining a lead, albeit with some narrowing. Mamdani's anti-Israel activism has raised alarms among Jewish communities in New York amid concerns over rising hate crimes. Obama’s outreach to Mamdani highlights the Democratic Party's complex balancing act between appealing to young progressive voters and managing broader electoral risks.