Harkin: ‘I’m going to vote against Ben Bernanke’

Source: The Iowa Independent

Democratic U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin has confirmed to The Des Moines Register that he will oppose the confirmation of Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke for a second term.

Harkin joins a diverse group of senators who have publicly said they would oppose Bernanke’s confirmation, which includes Republicans like John McCain of Arizona and Jim DeMint of South Carolina, but also Democrats like Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Barbara Boxer of California.

From The Register:

Harkin said Bernanke enabled the financial and mortgage meltdowns of recent years by catering to big financial institutions and not requiring them to behave more responsibly.

“I’m going to vote against Ben Bernanke to continue chairing the fed,” Harkin said in a Des Moines Register interview. …

more: http://iowaindependent.com/26420/harkin-i%E2%80%99m-going-to-vote-against-ben-bernanke

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Thank you Senator Harkin. Bernanke needs to go!

he'll be reconfirmed, alas.

One of the crooked bankers that intentionally caused the problems in the first place. Originally a REPUBLICAN appointee, wonder why Obama supported and continues to support this corporate fascist?

This Fed Chief Brought to You by Enron
By: emptywheel Monday January 25, 2010 7:59 am

http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2010/01/25/this-fed-c... /

Just wanted to throw two tidbits into the debate on Ben Bernanke’s reconfirmation. First, this quote, which needs no explanation.

In the event that Bernanke isn’t confirmed, several sources say, Federal Reserve Board Vice Chairman Donald Kohn likely would be elevated to acting chair of the U.S. central bank. Bernanke would be entitled to stay on the board until his term as a Fed governor expires in 2020, but the sources said Bernanke could instead return to a professorship at Princeton University.

Possible successors to Bernanke include three people currently advising Obama on the economy, former Fed chief Paul Volcker, Larry Summers and Christina Romer.

Kohn was traveling in Europe at the end of the week on Fed business, but strategy on the Bernanke confirmation was being led by former Enron lobbyist Linda Robertson, who is viewed as an effective advocate for the banking chief on Capitol Hill.

read the rest at the link



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JasonLeopold January 25th, 2010 at 10:40 am
15

Feb 22, 2001: Enron chairman Ken Lay and Enron lobbyist Linda Robertson met with energy task force executive director Andrew Lundquist to discuss energy policy.

April 17, 2001: Enron chairman Ken Lay and Enron lobbyist Linda Robertson met with Vice President Cheney for 30 minutes to discuss energy matters, including the California energy crisis.

April 20, 2001: Enron lobbyist Linda Robertson sent an e-mail to White House economic advisor Robert McNally.

May 23, 2001: White House economic advisor Robert McNally met with Enron lobbyists Linda Robertson and Richard Shapiro.