Sarah Palin vs. Ben Bernanke
The Federal Reserve starts pumping more money into the stalled economy, and the Alaskan conservative tells it to "cease and desist"
![Sarah Palin, quoting Ronald Reagan, says playing with inflation is "as deadly as a hit man."](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HNmLwLsQZsDFs8TZ4j7tkU-415-80.jpg)
After taking on Obamacare, the "Ground Zero mosque," and RINO conservatives, Sarah Palin has a new target — the Federal Reserve. In a speech on Monday, the former vice-presidential candidate blasted the central bank for its new attempt to stimulate the economy by purchasing $600 billion worth of government bonds. Palin told Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke to "cease and desist," saying the move, known as quantitative easing, amounts to printing money out of thin air and could spark runaway inflation. "If it doesn't work, what do we do then?" Palin asked. "Print even more money?" Is Palin right, or is she unqualified to criticize monetary policy? (Watch a WSJ discussion about Palin's gripe)
Palin is clueless about the economy: Palin thinks nobody should mess with the money supply, says blogger Zandar at his Zandar Versus The Stupid blog. But that's precisely what the Fed is there for — to use interest rates and other means to "affect inflation as a method of controlling the economy's throttle." It's scary that someone who might run for president could be so clueless about economic policy.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
She ought to be applauded: Palin made an intelligent and timely contribution to this debate, says an editorial in The Wall Street Journal. Republicans "need to be alert to the dangers" of misguided monetary policy, and Palin is leading the way. Her remarks showed both her sharp "economic instincts" and her talent for "putting a technical subject in language that average Americans can understand."
"Palin's dollar, Zoellick's gold"
It will only strengthen her brand: Palin's speech is designed to "bolster her standing in two ways," says Michael Muskal at the Los Angeles Times. It offsets criticism from Karl Rove and others that she lacks the "gravitas to be president." And it continues "the narrative that unites Republicans and the Tea Party movement." It's just more brand positioning from "one of the leading Republican presidential aspirants in 2012."
"Sarah Palin to criticize Federal Reserve's plan to purchase Treasury bonds"
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Leonora Carrington: Rebel Visionary – an exhibition of 'unearthly delights'
The 'captivating' show features over 70 pieces spanning everything from paintings to tapestries
By The Week UK Published
-
Patrick Bishop picks his five favourite books
The acclaimed historian chooses works by Ernest Hemingway, Richard Cobb and more
By The Week UK Published
-
Lady in the Lake: 'brooding' murder-mystery casts 'a potent spell'
Natalie Portman gives a 'scene-stealing' show in period thriller
By The Week UK Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Supreme Court rejects challenge to CFPB
Speed Read The court rejected a conservative-backed challenge to the way the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is funded
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published