WSJ/NBC Poll Has a Bit of Good News for Bernanke

Laura Meckler reports on politics. The good news for Ben Bernanke is that more than 70% of Americans know enough about him to have an opinion about his future, according to a new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll. Less good for the Federal Reserve chairman is that 39% think he should not be reappointed when his term ends next year. One-third say he should be. The rest were not sure. Bernanke was appointed by Republican President George W. Bush , though at this point, his support is higher among Democrats than Republicans. Nearly two of five Democrats, 39%, support his reappointment compared with one of three, 32%, of Republicans. Most surprising, said pollster Bill McInturff , may be “that many people had an opinion.” In October 1999, 61% of people said they supported reappointment of Alan Greenspan to the same point compared with 16% who were opposed. (link)