Orszag's Task: Selling the Budget - Wall Street Journal

WASHINGTON -- Even in an administration riddled with brainy academics, President Barack Obama likes to tease budget director Peter Orszag, a Princeton-trained economist, about his nerdiness. It's a subtle sign of the 40-year-old policy wonk's influence at a White House that is obsessed with figuring out how to right the topsy-turvy economy.

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Thursday's release of the White House budget brought Mr. Orszag's biggest chance yet to shine. And while his imprint was evident throughout the 134-page blueprint's detailed policy prescriptions, it was his ability to explain them in simple terms that stood out. No fewer than 10 times in his budget briefing for reporters, Mr. Orszag used some variation on the phrase, "Let me be very clear." The surprising part was, he usually was.

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