To, and with the window closing on his chance for second term achievements, democratic sources tell cnn podesta s expertise is much needed. as president clinton s disciplined chief of staff, podesta guided that white house through a sex scandal, impeachment and a war in kosovo. he was known for cracking the whip. one former clinton colleague telling cnn his co-workers made him a name plate. on one side, john d.podesta. when he would lay into other aides, he or they would often turn the name plate around to reveal skippy, the nickname for podesta s hard as nails alter ego. it s openly known, even democratic sources will tell you that president obama s relations with capitol hill are not very good, be it with democrats whose support he needs on health care reform, or republicans whose help he will need if he is to tackle immigration reform. to that end, podesta will be key. he knows the senate very well. he was the chief of staff to