GOP leaders see Stephen Moore's past catch up

Finance and taxation

The Senate majority whip, John Thune, said the Fed's controversial comments would hope to test the Republicans' support.

He called the hometown of a GOP senator one of the "armpits of America". He suggested that some women, who represent a quarter of the Senate, should not play sports. And during a race in the Senate in 2004, he attacked another Republican senator for his insufficiently conservative voting record.

And all this begins to weigh on Stephen Moore's chances of being confirmed at the Federal Reserve.

History continues below

"These recent stories will be a good test of what the level of support is here," said Senate Majority Whip John Thune (RS.D.), the main scrutineer of the party's vote, on Tuesday. and other members of our conference … affected by some of these stories as it has been, we will have an idea of ​​this fairly quickly.

Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), another member of the GOP leadership, is described as "indeterminate" by Monday's appointment, and many other GOP senators are not engaged. Moore is likely to get confirmation from 50 of the GOP's 53 Senators, with the Democrats signaling opposition at the party level.

A number of earlier comments and articles published by Moore in recent weeks may have reduced his appeal, particularly when he was denigrating Cincinnati, Senator Rob Portman's hometown, and appointing female referees.

Moore is also attacking Senator Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) In a 2004 primary race against Herman Cain, who ended his own Fed appointment last week. Isakson said Tuesday morning that he will make a statement on Moore later this week.

"These stories will obviously have an impact not only on some of our women members, but on everyone," Thune said. "He's going to have to answer those questions."

Moore was provocative – just like Cain until it became apparent that he could not be confirmed. Moore defended himself on television and decried the attacks on his nomination as a smear campaign. But the White House is reviewing its writings and rereading it before it is officially named.

"I think I'll be part of the Fed. By the way, the president and the economic affairs team of the White House have totally supported me, "Moore told CNBC on Tuesday.

For the moment, Republicans do not consider Moore unacceptable as Cain. But that does not mean that they push him to move forward.

Moore said that he would step down if it would cost Republican seats in the Senate. Ernst, along with GOP senators such as Cory Gardner of Colorado, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Susan Collins of Maine and Martha McSally of Arizona are set to be re-elected to alternate states next year. it must be confirmed.

Gardner is always open to Moore's appointment.

"I look forward to talking to Stephen Moore and discussing his abilities, his background and his abilities," Gardner said in an interview. "I think Herman Cain worried me from a political point of view, from the super PAC side, that I do not have with Stephen Moore."

Victoria Guida contributed to this report.