Murdoch becomes an Obama convert

scopical.com.au |  May 30, 2008

Global media tycoon Rupert Murdoch appears to have switched his support from conservative right politics into the left, progressive ideology of leading Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama.

Mr Murdoch, a former Australian and whose Fox News Channel has continuously backed the current Bush Administration, says Obama is a breath of fresh air to Washington politics.

“You have possibly the making of a phenomenon in this country,” Mr Murdoch said of Obama.

Rupert Murdoch, who heads News Corporation (publishers of The Australian, Daily Telegraph and Herald Sun newspapers in Australia) has formally backed Republicans for the Presidential post.

However the media mogul says he believes Washington politics is in need of a change, comparing Barack Obama to a rock star.

“Politicians and Washington are at an all time low, they are despised by 80% of the public… and you’ve got a candidate who is… trying to put himself above it all.”

“He’s become a rock star. It’s fantastic.”

Obama is known to attract crowds ranging into the thousands, with a well armed and mobile base of younger supporters.

Mr Murdoch said of likely Republican nominee John McCain: “he has a lot of problems”.

“He’s a patriot, he’s a friend of mine, a very decent guy. I think he has – and I say this sympathetically – I think he has a lot of problems,” Mr Murdoch said.

Rupert Murdoch is now reportedly anxious to meet with Obama prior to the election campaign – if he should win the nomination.

The News Corporation chief has previously held fundraising events for second-placing Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.