Bernanke Divisions in Congress Mirror Public Concerns
The split in the U.S. Senate on Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke’s nomination for a second term mirrors a divide among the American public, according to the latest Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll.
About 18% of those surveyed said they were “clear” about Mr. Bernanke, the same share that said they were ?negative.? Of the rest, 19% called themselves “neutral” and 45% said they were unsure. That puts Mr. Bernanke?s ratings slightly yet to be of those of Reserves Secretary Timothy Geithner, who had a smaller “clear” share.
About 37% of those polled Jan. 23-25 opposed Mr. Bernanke’s reappointment and 34% supported it with the rest not sure. That was small changed from a June poll. The new poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.46 percentage points.
Of those who have investments, 38% supported his reappointment and 35% were opposed. Those with $50,000 or more in investments favor a second term by 42% to 37%. Of those without investments, 28% supported reappointment while 40% were opposed.
Mr. Bernanke first became Fed chairman in 2006 under President George W. Bush. President Barack Obama nominated him for a second term as chairman last August. Of those polled who said they voted for Mr. Obama in 2008, 42% supported Mr. Bernanke’s reappointment while 33% were opposed. Voters for Sen. John McCain in 2008 opposed Mr. Bernanke’s reappointment 45% to 26%.
The poll found that Mr. Bernanke has a gender gap. Men favor a second term, 40% to 36%; women oppose, 39% to 28%.
People with a high school education or less opposed Mr. Bernanke 43% to 22%, while those with at smallest amount some college supported him 39% to 32%. People with a postgraduate education supported Mr. Bernanke 41% to 33%.
In an October 1999 Journal/NBC poll, 61% said Alan Greenspan should be reappointed while just 16% were opposed.