How worthy is this choice? We realize why some might consider the choice of the Federal Reserve Chair just, but we argue even if you’re gonna go that route, Timothy Geithner and numerous CEOs have claim on this mantle. It’s an iffy choice at best. source
Bro says we’re too close to the edge of inflation.Alan Greenspan, oh, how could we live without your insight? The former Federal Reserve chairman told “Meet the Press” that we’re on the edge of what the organization can do to curb unemployment. “You cannot ask a central bank to do more than it is capable of without very dire consequences,” he continued. We imagine he also said, off-camera, “I was way better at this job than that Bernanke #(&hole,” but we don’t have proof of this. source
Yeah … Our boy’s gonna have trouble getting a second term. Ben Bernanke’s first term as Federal Reserve chair was marked by a whole bunch of crazy bank failures, financial market distress, bailouts, and pissed-off tea partiers who probably want to hurt him. On the eve of a second confirmation hearing, one independent senator has said “enough.” Bernie Sanders plans to put a hold on Bernanke’s nomination, which means he might be able to filibuster easily. He’s pretty much screwed. source
As an expert on the causes of the Great Depression, I’m sure Ben never imagined that he would be part of a team responsible for preventing another.
President Barack Obama • In a speech this morning confirming that Bernanke would be reappointed to his post as Federal Reserve Chairman. It’s notable in one way – Bernanke’s a Republican, which means Obama’s got a bipartisan feather in his hat – but considering Bernanke’s predecessor, Alan Greenspan, stuck around for multiple administrations, maybe it’s not. But then again, Greenspan didn’t have the mess that Bernanke’s dealing with. Either way, go Ben! • source
A buncha e-mails say yes. Remember the fun times of about eight months ago, when the economy was going in the basement and all these unlikely mergers of huge financial firms happened? Well, Bank of America’s takeover of Merrill Lynch was one. And according to e-mails between the feds and the firm, they may have been pressured into it by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. After the deal went through, BofA’s shares took a nosedive and the government had to bail them out big time. source
We’ve seen some progress in the financial markets, absolutely. But until we get that stabilized and working normally, we’re not going to see recovery.
Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke • On the recession and the biggest problem – the clogged up credit and financial markets. Bernanke said that if things ease up, the recession could end this year. Also, he was on “60 Minutes” last night, where he mentioned he’s “slammed the phone more than a few times on discussing AIG.” • source