Clout of Obama's "Mr Fix-it" extends abroad at start of second term

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, already deeply immersed in high-profile domestic policy, is finding that his clout extends to foreign affairs as well, as he plays a top surrogate role for President Barack Obama in the early days of their second term.

Biden is now in many ways viewed as Obama's "Mr. Fix-it," who struck a crucial budget deal in January and who is able to navigate his way comfortably through Washington's complex power structure with a back-slapping joviality that Democrats find endearing despite the occasional verbal misstep.