Obama's Congressional Friends (and Foes)
As Barack Obama's BlackBerry buddy, mentor, and consigliere, Durbin is as close to him as anyone in Congress. Durbin, 64, like many, fell under Obama's spell when he addressed the 2004 Democratic convention. Durbin hit the campaign trail with Obama in his Senate run, helped him learn the ropes after he won, and urged him early on to try a race for the White House. Durbin has strong ties to such key Obama advisers as David Axelrod and Rahm Emanuel. The Illinois senator was at the White House so often after Obama was sworn in (eight times during the first three weeks, an aide says) that his staff joked: "We know they can't give you a bedroom, but could they have a Durbin closet for you?"
The liberal Durbin is the Senate Democratic whip, charged with lining up votes and devising the message. "Durbin talks to Rahm four or five times every week, without fail," says the aide. "He talks to Axelrod two to three times every week, without fail. And he talks to the president two to three times every week, without fail."
Obama has his fair share of both friends and foes in Congress. Do you agree with our list of Obama's key allies and reliable opponents?