According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, criticism of the Fed over its bank bailouts had largely died down earlier this year. Then they announced their quantitative easing program. Still, things remained relatively quiet:
But last week, potential GOP presidential candidate Sarah Palin delivered a stinging speech on the move and then, in a Facebook post, criticized Mr. Obama for defending the Fed.
Last Tuesday evening, about 20 economists and others met over sea bass at the University of Pennsylvania Club in Manhattan and hashed out a broad strategy. [Paul] Ryan, who has gained notice for a plan to balance the federal budget through deep spending cuts, joined the group as they discussed ways to encourage the GOP’s new House majority to unite behind what they describe as a “sound money policy.”
“We talked about the importance of the right being outspoken and unified on this,” said a participant. Mr. Ryan couldn’t be reached Sunday.
Over the weekend, organizers began discussions with possible GOP presidential candidates, including former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. On Tuesday, Mr. Boskin and another signer, Paul Singer, head of hedge fund Elliott Management, will brief GOP governors at a conference in San Diego.
So there you have it. Sarah Palin makes a speech about technical monetary policy and within a few days the entire Republican establishment is scurrying around to make sure that everyone has their monetary policy marching orders. Zhou Xiaochuan, Arkady Dvorkovich, and Wolfgang Schaeuble should be very pleased.
