"They've clearly changed their mind, " David Wessel, economics editor at The Wall Street Journal, told Steve Inskeep, noting the repeated hints from Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke and Vice Chairman Don Kohn that a rate cut is imminent.

NPR: Fed Rate Cut Expected; Could Bolster Lending

If Mr Bush means what he says about the next chairman being politically independent, then we believe the best choice would be Don Kohn, a governor on the Federal Reserve Board, who is not affiliated to any party.

ECONOMIST: Who could fill Alan Greenspan's shoes?