As soon as Republican support became less than guaranteed, the White House quietly began casting about for Federal Reserve Board nominees with less baggage than current likely picks Stephen Moore and Herman Cain.
But, according to a Tuesday Bloomberg report, National Economic Council director Larry Kudlow said that at least for Cain, he’ll personally have to make the final decision about whether or not to exit the confirmation process.
“We are talking to a number of candidates,” Kudlow said. “We always do.”
A number of Republicans have already expressed discomfort at the notion of supporting Cain, who was tarnished by sexual harassment and assault allegations in 2012.
Moore is seen as comically under-qualified and has suffered reputational blows from a dispute with the IRS.
