2 Key Senators Oppose a Second Term for Bernanke

[undeterred]

By SEWELL CHAN
Published: January 22, 2010

The confirmation of Ben S. Bernanke to a second four-year term as chairman of the Federal Reserve ran into further trouble on Friday, as two more Democratic senators said they would vote against him.

The White House came to Mr. Bernanke’s defense Friday, but the Senate majority leader, Harry Reid, is believed to be struggling to come up with the 60 votes necessary to confirm Mr. Bernanke before his term as chairman expires on Jan. 31.

In a statement Friday morning, Senator Barbara Boxer, Democrat of California, came out against Mr. Bernanke, who was named to his post during the Bush administration. She said she had “a lot of respect” for him and praised him for preventing the economic crisis from getting even worse. “However, it is time for a change,” she said. “It is time for Main Street to have a champion at the Fed.”

“Our next Federal Reserve chairman must represent a clean break from the failed policies of the past,” Ms. Boxer said. Another Democratic senator, Russell D. Feingold of Wisconsin, also announced Friday that he would vote against Mr. Bernanke.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/23/business/economy/23fed.html

:toast: Cheers to Boxer and Feingold for showing some spine

[Demeter]

1. More than Two

I just hope it's enough.

[Robbien]

4. Yup, there are five Dems against and Four GOPers for Bernanke

Dems: Boxer, Dorgan, Feingold, Merley and Independent Sanders

GOPers: Bennett of Utah, Corker of Tenn, Gregg of NH, and Johanns of Nebraska

[undeterred]

5. I can't believe we can't do better.

[old guy]

2. Several nominations have been held up by a single senator.

Is this case different for some reason?

[Robbien]

6. Not really

but in this case if Dodd can get 60 votes in support of Bernanke he will break the hold

[Donnachaidh]

3. Why isn't Bernie Sanders in the mix?

I thought he was one who put Bernanke on hold - he would make it 3 keeping him from continuing.

[Dr.Phool]

7. He's in there.