Podesta steered Obama's transition team in 2008 after he won
the presidency. His arrival is a signal that the president,
famous for taking advice primarily from a tight-knit group of
advisers, is looking for some outside help as he seeks to regain
momentum in his second term.
Confirming a report that first appeared in the New York Times,
the source said Podesta had agreed to take on the role for a
year.
He is the chair of the Center for American Progress, a
left-leaning policy group that has close ties to the Obama
administration. He is also a former adviser to Tom Daschle, the
former Senate Democratic leader from whom Obama has inherited
other trusted staffers.
Podesta will help Obama's chief of staff, Denis McDonough, on
issues related to the healthcare law, executive orders and
climate change.
(Reporting by Jeff Mason; editing by Lisa Shumaker)
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