President Obama is hearkening to Bill Clinton days, calling on the former president’s chief of staff, John Podesta, to help sell some of his more controversial second-term agenda items and pave the way for better poll numbers.
Mr. Podesta has worked in a quiet, behind-the-scenes manner for Mr. Obama’s transition to office after the 2008 elections. But now he’s formally joining the inner circle in the White House, signing on to an adviser role for a year, The Washington Post reported.
Mr. Obama’s turn to Mr. Podesta comes at a critical time. The Obamacare rollout has proven a difficult mountain to climb, leading the president to shelve some of his other promised initiatives for a time, including immigration. The president’s also fighting a massive public relations battle, with recent polls showing the public neither trusts nor admires him to the same degree that swept him into office in the first place.
Mr. Podesta is largely expected to help push through Mr. Obama’s climate change agenda and smooth ruffled feathers over his recently announced executive orders, The Post said.
The Democratic Party considers Mr. Podesta one of its most experienced and successful operatives.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.