Bernanke May Need to Stay ‘Above Politics’ in Debt Standoff

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke has steered clear of the political brawl over raising the U.S. debt limit. Lawmakers say he should keep his distance.

The central banker would risk angering politicians and roiling markets should he get involved in talks, recommend a specific tax and spending plan or repeat the force of his 2008 pleas for a financial rescue, members of Congress from both parties said. “If you’re the Fed chairman, you’ve got to be above politics,” said Jon Kyl, the No. 2 Senate Republican.