WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama phoned Senate allies Saturday as two key senators predicted that embattled Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke will be confirmed for a second term.

Obama made calls from the White House to members of the Senate leadership and others and was assured Bernanke would win confirmation, a senior White House official told The Associated Press. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the private phone calls.

Meanwhile, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd, a Connecticut Democrat, and former Senate Budget Committee Chairman Judd Gregg, a New Hampshire Republican, said in a statement Saturday that Bernanke is the right person to help guide the economy back from the worst recession since the 1930s.

Bernanke's term expires Jan. 31. A Senate vote hasn't been set on whether to OK a second four-year term.

Already four Senate Democrats have said they would vote against the Fed chairman.

Bernanke has become the focus of increased criticism since Republican Scott Brown won a Senate seat in an upset election victory in Massachusetts this past week.

Dodd and Gregg -- neither seeking re-election in November -- said that "based on our discussions with our colleagues, we are very confident" that Bernanke will win confirmation by the Senate for another term.

"Bernanke has done an excellent job responding to one of the most significant financial crises our country has ever encountered," the two senators said. "We support his nomination because he is the right leader to guide the Federal Reserve in this recovering economy."

The Fed chief's supporters need 60 votes to prevent opponents from blocking confirmation. Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent liberal from Vermont, and Republican senators Jim Bunning of Kentucky, Jim DeMint of South Carolina and David Vitter of Louisiana are spearheading a campaign to block Bernanke's confirmation.

Bernanke is widely credited with helping to prevent the Great Recession from turning into a second Great Depression. But his support of Wall Street bailouts has angered Americans who are struggling with double-digit unemployment and soaring home foreclosures.

On Friday, White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel phoned senators urging support of Bernanke. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner also made calls to lawmakers, officials said.