NEW YORK, NY October 09, 2009 —Democratic Mayoral hopeful Bill Thompson says he has been endorsed by President Obama in his bid to unseat Mayor Bloomberg. WNYC's Bob Hennelly has more.

HENNELLY: The Thompson claim is based on an answer to a reporter's question from White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs at his daily briefing. Thompson's name was never actually uttered.

GIBBS: The President is the leader of the dem party and as that would support the democratic nominee.

HENNELLY: Gibbs also noted the President has a "tremendous amount of respect" for Thompson's opponent, and had worked well with Mayor Bloomberg. The Mayor says he's not surprised that Obama would back a fellow Democrat, and he says it won't impact what he sees as a good working relationship with the White House. For WNYC I am Bob Hennelly.