Josh Hafner

USA TODAY

The street artist behind the iconic 'Hope' poster that symbolized Barack Obama's 2008 campaign announced whom he will back (and design for) in 2016: Bernie Sanders.

“I’m supporting Bernie Sanders because I want to push principles, not personalities,” Shepard Fairey says in a video released by Sanders' campaign.

Fairey is best-known for his design depicting Obama, which later ensnared him in legal troubles. He also founded Obey, a popular clothing brand.

The Sanders campaign directed viewers to a T-shirt designed by Fairey in the campaign's store. The design incorporates campaign slogans including "Feel the Bern" and "A political revolution." It's union-made in the U.S. on pre-shrunk cotton and costs $30.

"Bernie needs help from people like you and me and I think he’ll look out for the needs of people like you and me," Fairey said in a statement on Sanders' site.

While Fairey supported Obama ahead of 2008, he told Esquire last year that the president had not lived up to his expectations.

A spokesman for Clinton, who's repeatedly praised Obama in her campaign, tried to brush aside any notion that Sanders 2016 was the new Obama 2008:

In another universe, though, perhaps Clinton could have gotten her own Shepard Fairey design.

"I agree with Hilary on most issues," Fairey told Esquire last year.

Follow Josh Hafner on Twitter: @joshhafner

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