CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel says former President Bill Clinton will help Democrats offer a clear vision of the future when he takes the podium at the Democratic National Convention.

Emanuel tells NBC's "Today" that Clinton faced the same early struggles battling Republicans as Obama has. But after Clinton was re-elected in 1996, Republicans began to work with the president, leading to a balanced budget agreement.

Emanuel, who served both presidents, says he expects Obama would win the same type of cooperation from Republicans if he wins a second term. Democrats are eager to portray Obama's economic policies as mirroring those of Clinton, who presided during a time of prosperity.