Ex-Clinton secretary pitches in for Obama

WASHINGTON - It's official. The old Clinton gang really is back together again. Answering the phones these days for the co-chairman of President-elect Barack Obama's transition, John D. Podesta, is none other than Betty Currie.

Currie, who is emerging from retirement in southern Maryland to volunteer at Obama's headquarters, was the personal secretary to President Bill Clinton who became caught up in an independent counsel investigation into his trysts with White House intern Monica Lewinsky.

Since leaving the White House, Currie, 69, has shied away from publicity and kept a low profile in Hollywood, Md., where she lives with her husband, Bob, and Socks, the presidential cat, which she took with her after Clinton left office.

Currie, who works with local nonprofit organizations and serves on the Alcohol Beverage Board of St. Mary's County, declined to discuss her work for Obama, citing a transition office policy against volunteers giving interviews. Compelled to testify to a grand jury five times about Clinton's relationship with Lewinsky, Currie is widely admired in Clinton circles for her loyalty and effectiveness.

Podesta, who was Clinton's last White House chief of staff, said it was natural for him to call Currie back to service. "Of course I asked her, because in the 30 years we have worked together, I have never known anyone with more grace, dedication and public spirit than Betty," he said. "And she has one mean Rolodex."

A longtime secretary in agencies like the Peace Corps, Currie left government to work for Democratic presidential campaigns in 1984 and 1988 before joining Clinton in 1992.