Clinton's third term

7 January 2011 By James Pethokoukis

Bringing a proglobalization fiscal hawk like Gene Sperling into the White House is the latest sign the president is taking a page from Bill Clinton s playbook. Like his predecessor, Obama needs to work better with Republicans. Chances for budget and trade deals are improving.

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President Barack Obama will name Gene Sperling on Jan. 7 as the new head of his National Economic Council. Choosing Sperling to replace Larry Summers follows Obama's appointment of a new chief of staff and the resignation of his press secretary, as the president shakes up his team after Republicans took control of the House of Representatives.

The NEC coordinates economic policy across the administration, and its head wields great influence within the White House.

Sperling, a counselor to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, served as head of the NEC for President Bill Clinton between 1997 and 2000, and helped Clinton battle the Republicans and, eventually, balance the budget.

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