White House bringing in former Clinton confidant Podesta amid ObamaCare woes

FILE - In this Monday, Aug. 10, 2009, file photo, Center for American Progress Action Fund President & CEO John Podesta speaks at the National Clean Energy Summit 2.0, at The Cox Pavillion in Las Vegas. (AP Photo)

The White House is bringing in a former top official from the Clinton administration to help manage the messy ObamaCare roll-out and other matters as President Obama tries to regain his footing in his second term.

Officials confirmed Tuesday that John Podesta, who served as White House chief of staff under President Bill Clinton, will join the Obama team as counselor to the president.

The move is widely seen as an effort to bring in a respected party elder to clean up the administration's messaging after the botched roll-out of the health care law. Though it may raise questions about the status of the current chief of staff, Denis McDonough, one adviser to the president said the decision shows McDonough is secure enough to bring in the best talent.

Podesta served as Clinton's fourth and final chief of staff between 1998 and 2001 before founding the Center for American Progress, a Democratic think tank with close ties to the Obama White House, in 2003.

Podesta will take his place at the White House at a critical time for Obama as the president seeks to re-establish his agenda going into a midterm election year.

The New York Times reported that Podesta would help McDonough on matters related to the health care law, as well as administration organization, executive actions, and issues related to climate change.

Fox News' Ed Henry and The Associated Press contributed to this report.