Executive Decision Results for 3/8-3/25

(N.B.: Now that we've installed our automated poll form, future Executive Decision results will contain more-detailed statistical information.)

The question with which our hypothetical chief executives were confronted this time was whether or not to re-appoint Federal Reserve Board chairman Alan Greenspan for another four-year term. (Click here to view the full Executive Decision memo, with suggestions from aides, for this scenario.) The options presented to the President by his or her aides were the following:

*Option A. Re-appoint Greenspan (and other anti-inflation hawks to the two vacant board positions) to keep interest rates high, inflation low, growth steady but slow, and Wall Street confident.

*Option B. Refuse to reappoint Greenspan, who with his ardent anti-inflationary stance threatens to stifle growth and keep wages depressed. Appoint pro-growth advocates instead.

*Option C. Hedge your bets: Reappoint Chairman Greenspan (to keep Wall Streeters happy) but balance his strong anti-inflation approach by nominating two pro-growth economists for the vacant slots.

The Results

Reappoint Greenspan: 29%

Refuse to Reappoint Greenspan: 8%

Hedged bets: 63%

Clearly, most respondents felt that ditching Greenspan would roil the markets and shake investor confidence. But the fact that 63% voted to cocoon Greenspan with pro-growth board members--and that 8% voted to go growth all the way--suggests a strong desire at the very least to balance anti-inflation measures with an effort to sustain wages and growth.

Click here to return to the Executive Decision index page.