Shepard Fairey, who made the Obama 'Hope' poster, endorsed Bernie Sanders

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.

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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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