Kaufman: Bipartisan enmity toward Bernanke a good sign

The enmity toward Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke shared by both some Republicans and some Democrats probably show he’s a good choice to continue to lead the Fed, Sen. Ted Kaufman (D-Del.) said Tuesday.

“He has probably as many problems with my colleagues on the Democratic side as he has Dick Armey’s problems on the Republican side,” Kaufman said this morning during an appearance on CNBC. (Former House Majority Leader Dick Armey [R-Texas] was among the guest panelists.)

“But that may be a sign he is independent, he’s doing a good job, and I am definitely going to vote for him, I think he’s a wonderful selection,” Kaufman added.

The freshman Democrat said he expected Bernanke to win confirmation to a second term as chairman of the Federal Reserve, but cautioned “you never know with the Senate.”

Kaufman praised Bernanke’s work at the height of the financial crisis, saying the Fed chairman did “some incredibly smart things” to stave off a collapse in the financial system.