A White House spokesman revealed today that President Barack Obama is supporting City Comptroller William Thompson’s bid for mayor, but word did not come from Obama himself.

At the end of a daily press briefing, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs failed to mention Thompson by name, but said the Democrat has the president’s support.

“The president is the leader of the Democratic Party and as that would support the Democratic nominee,” said Gibbs. “The president obviously has had a chance throughout campaigning and in his time as a candidate and as a president to meet, know and work with Mayor Bloomberg and obviously has a tremendous amount of respect for what he’s done as well. But as the leader of the Democratic Party he supports the Democratic nominee.”
 Thompson seemed pleased with the news, when NY1 caught up to him today on his way to attend a prayer service at a Harlem mosque.

“It is a great honor and it can only help,” said Thompson. “The president is incredibly popular and we all respect him. And for him to take the time out on a day where he’s received the Nobel Prize makes it even more special.”

The mayor’s campaign in a statement that Bloomberg and Obama have a “good relationship” that is not affected by partisan politics, saying: “We’re not surprised that the President supported the nominee of his party. That’s to be expected.”

It is not yet clear if Obama will campaign on Thompson’s behalf.

(Source: NY1)