MIT economist Peter Diamond is withdrawing his name from nomination to the Federal Reserve, now that it is clear that the Republicans in the Senate will continue to block a vote on the nomination. I am personally saddened by this outcome, as I was when the renomination of Randy Kroszner was similarly blocked by the Democrats a few years back.
Here is Peter’s op-ed about the mattter.
Senator Shelby blocks Peter Diamond.
I am personally saddened by this decision, for Peter is a very smart guy and a highly accomplished economist, as well as a former teacher of mine. There is no doubt in my mind that Peter was fully deserving of the Nobel Prize. But I have to admit that, given Senator Shelby’s political preferences regarding economic policy, his reasons for blocking the nomination to the Federal Reserve Board are not wholly unreasonable. Click through to the link above (or here) to read the Senator’s explanation.
