We are at a moment where we can finally stop Ben Bernanke. With an impending re-confirmation, groups across the political spectrum are standing up to scream NO!
Whether it is MoveOn and FireDogLake on the left, or the Campaign for Liberty on the right, we can see a growing movement to stop this central banker.
Even politicians have joined forces on this matter. When did you expect to see arch-conservative Demint and independent socialist AGREEING on something?
More about the situation below the fold.
I am not sure where this came from, but I recently stumbled across a vote tally for each individual Senator here This puts the overall tally at 35 voting yes to re-confirm Bernanke, 17 no, and 29 undecided.
The key here is that thanks to Senators Sanders, Demint, Bunning and Vitter, Bernanke had a hold slapped on his confirmation. Now, to reclaim his title as Chairman Bernanke the Senate must whip up 60 votes in his favor.
The problem here is that an obscene amount of Senate Democrats are backing Bernanke. Only 5 has come out against the Chairman, compared to 24 in favor and 17 undecideds.
Part of the reason for this is probably the White House. Of course the Obama administration is lobbying to get their pick through. Nobody expected this grassroots rebellion, but now the establishment is going to fight it.
The Senate leadership is also declaring for Ben. Democratic Majority leader Harry Reid and Durbin have already come out backing the Chairman. Republican minority leader Mitch McConnell is still undecided, but if he jumps to back Bernanke it could be game-over for this effort.
We have only a few days, as the vote must come before Bernanke's term ends on January 31st. This means the critical cloture vote could come this week!
We must all stand up and fight back. If nobody bothers to call their senators in the next few days, they will not feel the pressure and instead back up the Obama administration. But true democracy requires a proactive populace- where President Obama has strayed we must fight to put the government back in line.
(By the way, for those who might like Bernanke remember that he is the one who has fought tooth and nail against HR 1207 and S 604, simple measures to provide transparency in the Federal Reserve)