Clinton's back in the campaign game

WASHINGTON -- Bill Clinton is back in the game big time, serving as President Barack Obama's surrogate in chief and relying on his oratorical skill and folksy style to help Democratic candidates.

His high-profile role also gives him the chance to enhance his legacy as Democratic elder statesman and global humanitarian. He can build up political IOUs should his wife, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, decide to run again for president down the road.

Out of office since 2001, Clinton is proving that he retains a strong appeal with voters, especially in conservative states where Democratic candidates aren't eager to appear with Obama.

Obama needs Clinton to help generate support with white, working-class and independent voters who were drawn to Clinton and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, but who haven't warmed to Obama.

"If there's one thing we've learned in this election season, by the way, it is that a few words from Bill Clinton can do a man a lot of good," Romney joked in remarks at the Clinton Global Initiative last month, a nod to Clinton's convention speech.

The Obama campaign said Saturday it will be pairing Clinton with rock legend Bruce Springsteen at a rally Thursday in Ohio, one of the most pivotal states.

In Indianapolis on Friday to boost Senate Democratic hopeful Joe Donnelly, Clinton said he hadn't expected to be so involved in the 2012 campaign. But Hillary Clinton is busy as America's chief diplomat and daughter Chelsea works for a broadcast network, he noted.

"So you're stuck with me," Clinton told the crowd.

Obama has cracked that he should appoint Clinton "secretary of explaining stuff."

The lighthearted tone and determined cooperation between Obama and Clinton is hard-won and may not end with the 2012 campaign.

The bruising 2008 Democratic primary between Obama and Hillary Clinton damaged relations between the families. Obama's appointment of Hillary Clinton as secretary of state, and her successes in the job, healed the relationship enough for Clinton to step in to help with Obama's re-election.

Clinton symbolizes good economic times for many voters, including a federal budget that was balanced under his leadership. His convention speech rebutted Romney's attacks on Obama and accused Romney of pushing an economic plan doomed to fail.

He lends Obama credibility on the issue that voters consistently name as their top concern: the economy.

Clinton recently has:

* Joined Obama at a meeting with about a dozen supporters at a private residence in Los Angeles.

* Hosted a fundraiser with about 160 people who bought tickets starting at $1,000.

* Spoke at a rally for four northern California Democrats in tight House races.

* Was in Nevada for a rally for Obama and Democratic Senate candidate Shelley Berkley.

* Was at Arizona State University rally with Democratic Senate candidate Richard Carmona.

* Made stops in Iowa and Indiana for more rallies with Senate and congressional candidates as well as fundraising events.

He's expected to keep up the pace until Election Day.

Clinton has appeared at no fewer than 32 fundraisers and 15 rallies for Obama. One big-ticket reception at a private New York City residence with Clinton last June drew 47 people who paid $40,000 apiece.

Yet Clinton's prominent campaign role could pose some potential downsides for Democrats. They fret Clinton could overshadow Obama. A Pew Research Center poll last month showed 29 percent of those surveyed said Clinton's convention speech was the highlight of the party gathering, while just 16 percent called Obama's speech the highlight