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Mayor breaks protocol by endorsing Obama
Pippa Crerar, City Hall Editor1 Aug 2008
Boris Johnson today broke political convention by backing Barack Obama for President of the United States.
The Mayor said an election victory for the Democrat senator would be a "fantastic" boost for black people everywhere.
His remarks break the convention that politicians do not become involved in other countries' elections. They also threaten to put Mr Johnson at odds with Tory leader David Cameron who praised Mr Obama's Republican rival John McCain earlier this year.
The Tories have traditionally supported the Republicans and Mr McCain spoke at the party's annual conference in Bournemouth two years ago.
Mr Johnson said an Obama win could boost the self-image of young black Londoners. In an interview for the August edition of Square Mile magazine, he said: "John McCain has many, many wonderful qualities, but I think a Barack Obama victory would do fantastic things for the confidence and the feelings of black people around the world."
Asked whether his words constituted an endorsement, he replied: "Yes."
While Mr Cameron met Mr Obama on his visit to London last weekend he has also held talks with Mr McCain, who described him as a future Tory JFK.
Reader views (7)
And why shouldn't the Mayor endorse the presidential candidate? I am proud to see some one daring to SPEAK - are there any political rules left any more anyway?
Obama is really the last hope left for the US - who else it there? The Republicans will only continue to ignore half of the population - and continue on the rampant rage in the Middle-East. This is the first time perhaps some fundamental changes can be made - and Obama needs vocal support...
- Jeanne, Quebec, Canada, 12/08/2008 13:16
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I started off liking both McCain and Obama, but the more I read about Obama, the less I like him.
People are treating him like some kind of messiah- but his speeches are just empty rhetoric that he's nicked from JFK and Reagan.
His policies on free trade and are worrying, while his policy on Iraq withdrawal changes every week, from 'timetables' to 'meeting withdrawal conditions' to 'time frames' etc.
He also supports the kind of politically correct, 'progressive' liberal policies that New Labour have wrecked the UK with.
I'm beginning to hope Obama loses the election.
- Robert Cunningham, Harrow, London, UK, 07/08/2008 12:09
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He should win the Presidency before acting like he has already. I do not trust him!
- Charlie, London, 05/08/2008 14:25
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I agree with Mr Hargrave of Surbiton.
Moving on from whether or not the Mayor of London endorsed a USA presidential candidate, it is interesting that the Mayor felt it necessary to make another genuflection to black feelings. It also indicates that there is no community in diversity, just diversity; and that people naturally gravitate towards their own kind.
- Helen, norwich, 05/08/2008 12:58
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This is the first time I've been really disappointed in Boris. The election of a president should not be about making a minority group feel good about itself, not when that presidency is about one of the most powerful countries in the world. And especially as he is praising a man that takes socialism back to the early days of Britain's experimentation with programs and nanny state, all in the name of "change".
- Rogan, DFW USA, 04/08/2008 05:01
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Forgive me, but I can't quite see how Boris' comment that an Obama win would "do fantastic things for the confidence and feelings of black people around the world" represents an endorsement. My understanding of English does not stretch that far.
- Michael Hargrave, Surbiton UK, 01/08/2008 14:51
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So there's a "convention" but it's OK for Cameron to back McCain and for the Tories to "traditionally" support the Republicans?
- Mick James, London, 01/08/2008 11:35
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