Shepard Fairey Endorses Bernie: Obama ‘Hope’ Poster Artist Wants Campaign Finance Reform

Soon after artist Shepard Fairey screen printed 700 posters of then-Sen. Barack Obama in four colors in 2008, the image went viral and ultimately became one of the most recognizable symbols of the next president. The message was clear: The Illinois senator was cool, progressive and a tantalizing prospect for real change in an American political system that had been bogged down for years by foreign wars.

olitical pundits have been quick to draw comparisons between that 2008 campaign and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’ insurgent presidential bid in 2016. Like Obama eight years ago, Sanders energizes young voters with cult-like devotion, has a wildly successful grassroots organization and packs stadiums with screaming fans. But, after years of growing frustration with the president for attempting compromise without getting results on issues like curbing the overt influence of money in politics, Fairey is no longer solidly in Obama's corner. Sanders — a persistent proponent of campaign finance reform — is now his champion.

“Even though I agreed with almost all of Obama’s proposed policies as a campaigner … I was disappointed in his approach to fundraising. However, I recognized his pragmatism when Hillary Clinton was taking contributions from moneyed interests and so were the Republicans,” Fairey, 45, who officially endorsed Sanders last month, said in an email interview this week. “Sanders will be different because he is already different. He’s not accepting corporate donations or allowing the creation of super PACs.”

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