Before the afternoon sessions began, the roughly 150 [update: closer to 220] members of the audience were polled once again, this time on their views about the Fed.
1. How clear do you think the Fed has been about its policies?
- 42% extremely clear
- 45% Not sure. Seems a bit fuzzy.
- 13% I don't understand what they're doing, but I know we have a mess.
2. By December 31, 2013, the Fed should
- 36% leave interest rates and policies unchanged.
- 44% raise interest rates and reduce the monetary stimulus.
- 3% lower interest rates and expand the Fed's balance sheet.
- 18% I don't know.
3. What do you think the Fed will actually be doing by December 31, 2013?
- 47% leave interest rates and policies unchanged.
- 27% raise interest rates and reduce the monetary stimulus.
- 8% lower interest rates and expand the Fed's balance sheet.
- 18% I don't know.
4. Who do you think will be the next Fed Chair?
- 35% Janet Yellen
- 14% Tim Geithner
- 9% Larry Summers
- 41% Other