U.S. Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman today endorsed the re-confirmation of the suddenly embattled Federal Reserve chairman, Benjamin Bernanke. On this score, the independent from Connecticut is standing with the Obama administration.
Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, who is running to succeed the retiring U.S. Sen. Christopher J. Dodd, is among the Democrats distancing themselves from Bernanke. On WNPR’s “Where We Live,” Blumenthal last week said he would like to see new leadership at the Fed.
Lieberman’s statement:
“I intend to vote in favor of the reconfirmation of Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke and urge my Senate colleagues to join me in supporting him. Chairman Bernanke acted in a timely and decisive manner to shepherd our country through one of the worst financial crises we have ever faced. Although it is easy to criticize any single decision made during the crisis in isolation and with the benefit of hindsight, our economy would likely be in far worse shape today than it is without Chairman Bernanke’s leadership and diligence during this extraordinary time. Chairman Bernanke’s experience and leadership will be valuable assets to our nation in continuing to restore our economy’s health and creating jobs for American workers.”