Exclusive: L.A. Police Chief Bratton tapes anti-McCain robo-call for Obama

Los Angeles Police Chief William J. Bratton has recorded a robo-call campaign message on behalf of Democratic Party presidential candidate Barack Obama.

Bratton, who was scheduled to deliver an address on urban policing at Johns Hopkins University this evening, could not be reached immediately for comment. The message reportedly criticizes the record of Republican Party presidential nominee John McCain on law enforcement issues. 

A spokesperson for Bratton confirms that he has recorded the political campaign message but would not provide details of its content or where the Obama campaign plans to use it.

Bratton, one of the country's leading law enforcement figures, was widely seen as a strong supporter of Sen. Hillary Clinton during her unsuccessful bid for the Democratic nomination. 

The phone message apparently is the first time Bratton has waded into the campaign on behalf of Obama. 

The call is bound to refuel incessant rumors that Bratton is looking to land the top spot at the FBI or Homeland Security in a Democratic administration next year.  Bratton has staunchly dismissed the idea, saying he is committed to remaining LAPD chief until the end of his term in 2012.

-- Joel Rubin

This is not a robo-call: You can register here for free alerts to your cellphone of every new Ticket item.

Photo: LAPD

Comments

[suzyku]

Good!

[Cheryl in Los Angeles]

I am really proud of our police chief today.

He's brought intellegence to his handling of LAPD's issues. And he's made an important contribution to the current political dialogue.

[JOSE MATURANO]

Although it's a fact that LA, and California are going for Obama, It's a fresh Idea for me, to see The LAPD chief make some work for the Democratic Ticket, It's known that he is a Democrat, an supporter, But I'm Glad seeing him doing some work, This are no times to take anithing for granted, Let's keep working, I'lldo the same, Go Obama.....

[shane]

As an LAPD officer I admit Bratton has every right to state his views,however I am not very happy about our Chief wading into the election like this.
I think most liberals would be suprised at how many of us are former U.S. Military, raised in middle America, and are- "God forbid"- conservatives/right wingers( or whatever bad names liberals come up with).
I don't like the Chief or our Union giving the illusion that they represent us. I take great pride as a very active "right-winger"(Oh yes, I hunt and fish also, oh the horror) in not getting involved in political issues or discussions with any citizens during the course of my work. I take this as being professional in my job and to serve the citizens no matter how I may disagree with their beliefs. I would hope the Chief would also take this idea into consideration.

[Nancy]

Right on, Chief Bratton. Thank you.

Sincerely, a native Angeleno who's glad you're here.

[Brady Westwater]

This certainly explains his recent bizarre statements about potential terrorist attacks.

[Shaun Dakin]

I'm unclear. Is this a robo call or not? If it is and it is done in CA, it is illegal under CA PUC code.

Details on the law here.

http://thinkdodone.typepad.com/ccd/2008/06/lets-make-some.html

Shaun Dakin
CEO
StopPoliticalCalls.org

[Frank St. Clair]

So the lefties run LAPD now, too? Whatever happened to professionalism?

[HenryInSeattle]

Anybody that thinks big city police chiefs are anything but lap dogs for politicians hasn't been paying attention. Of course the LA police chief is going to parrot the thoughts of his bosses, why would he want his job to be any more difficult?

[Tom Anderson]

Great Chief. It's fantastic, now that MS-13 and other gang issues are resolved, the illegal alien criminals overstuffing our jails and adding millions of dollars of cost to the County, and other major crime issues in the city have all been taken care of by you and your buddy Mayor Reconquista.-- you have alot of spare time to do your political pimping.

[lynn, Los Angeles]

Bad police chief who spends most of his time politicing, kissing up to a very bad mayor and city council, refusing to enforce laws against illegal immigrants and throwing good officers under the bus...what a surprise that he supports Obama. Can't wait for this idiot to get out of LA.

[Steve]

Talk about a 4-star loser who clearly doesn't care much about our national security. Trust a NYC turned LA cop who's pro-gay marriage and all the bad things to pull a stunt like this. He must be as corrupt as can be.

[bob]

The Chief sure seems to take a lot of business trips to talk about himself. I wonder how many days a year he is gone. I understand his trips are paid out of the police budget for travel. The travel must be costly. Is that money officers could use to travel to conduct investigations or obtain needed training? I wonder how many officers request are turned down a year? Im sure these figures are public record. How about a little investigation LA Times. Just wondering!

[NTN]

The Chief only speaks for approx 3% of the dept when backing Obama. The majority of the Police that serve the dept and are responsible for the reduction in crime every year support the right wing canidates that support us. Not these left winged ACLU supporters. I thought are Chief would want his troops to back him, not despise him for supporting a lib

[B. S. Davis]

Can you believe this a guy? A police chief politicking for presidential candidates! Glad to see that Bratton is over there, screwing things up rather than over here. One of the worst chiefs in NYC history, a total bungler, more interested in feathering his own nest than protecting the citizens. A man of of absolutely no character - good riddance to bad rubbish!