He ran his father's campaign and has served as an informal adviser to him for years, but has never been a politician or diplomat.

Exuding a charismatic radiance, he becomes an informal adviser to the community.

She was an informal adviser to Mr. Clinton on health issues in the campaign.

But Mr. Clinton has already heard their opinions because they all served as informal advisers during the campaign.

For a time he was a member of Mr. Bush's kitchen cabinet, an informal adviser.

Johnston served as an informal adviser on education policy to the Obama presidential campaign in 2008.

He was also an informal adviser to the administration of President Bush, suggesting names for appointments and policy ideas.

"This needs to be thought through again," said one informal economic adviser to Mr. Bush.

Professor Uyangoda, who served as an informal adviser to the president during 1995 peace negotiations, said some of her frustration was justified.

But as one of his informal advisers says, "all the imagery is bad for him" in Asia.