As he seeks quickly to make his own stamp on the presidency and take over a Democratic Party dominated by Bill and Hillary Clinton for 16 years, Barack Obama is already discovering that he still needs them.

Although Mr Obama has vowed a break with the past, and to introduce a new generation of leadership, he is also faced with the reality that nearly the only Democrats in Washington with experience of national governance are Clinton veterans — not to mention Mr Clinton.

Some Democrat strategists added that Mr Obama owed a substantial debt of gratitude to the former President and First Lady because, after the divisive primary battle earlier this year, both “stepped up” and made efforts to bury their differences and unify the party.

“I think Obama owes President Clinton not only for what he said, but for what he didn’t say,” said Tad Devine, a Democrat strategist for Al Gore in 2000 and John Kerry in 2004, but unaffiliated this year. “He didn’t want him sucking up all the oxygen, especially when the economic crisis hit. Both Bill and Hillary handled this very well.”

Mr Devine said the Clintons know that Mr Obama has to turn the page — “they might not like it but they understand it” — but he added: “I think Obama will increasingly recognise the value of Bill Clinton, particularly as he deals with the economic crisis. I think with the passage of time he will come to rely on his judgment.”

Mr Obama is already turning to Clinton veterans as he puts together his team. The head of his transition unit is John Podesta, Mr Clinton’s former Chief-of-Staff. His new Chief-of-Staff will be Rahm Emanuel, a former White House aide to Mr Clinton and a friend of Mr Obama’s. There is a good chance that his National Security Adviser will also be a former Clinton official. When he appeared on stage with Mr Obama in Florida several days before the election, Mr Clinton might have also divulged that there is one sure way to keep him happy: make him feel valued.

Telling the crowd why Mr Obama would make such a good president, Mr Clinton, referring to the Wall Street meltdown, said: “You know what he did? First, he took a little heat for not saying much. I knew what he was doing. He talked to his advisers, he talked to my economic advisers, he called Hillary. He called me.” He added: “You know why? Because he knew it was complicated and before he said anything, he wanted to understand.”

Mrs Clinton, who has returned to the US Senate after her primary defeat, re-enters the chamber as an enhanced political figure and a powerful force on Capitol Hill. She could prove to be a crucial ally for Mr Obama as he seeks to push through his legislative agenda, and he will want to burnish their relationship.

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